CVE-2005-0321 in Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
merak mail server 7.6.0 with icewarp web mail 5.3.0 allows remote authenticated users to gain sensitive information via an http request to (1) calendar_d.html (2) calendar_m.html (3) calendar_w.html or (4) calendar_y.html which reveal the installation path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0321 affects the merak mail server version 7.6.0 when combined with icewarp web mail version 5.3.0. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details to authenticated remote attackers. The flaw specifically manifests in the calendar functionality of the webmail interface, where certain html files fail to properly restrict access to installation path information. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with critical system metadata that can be leveraged for further exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through specific http requests targeting calendar-related html files within the webmail application. Attackers can access calendar_d.html, calendar_m.html, calendar_w.html, and calendar_y.html to retrieve installation path information from the server. These files, which handle different calendar views including daily, monthly, weekly, and yearly displays, contain hardcoded or improperly sanitized path references that reveal the underlying file system structure. The vulnerability exploits the lack of proper access controls and input validation in these calendar components, allowing authenticated users to bypass normal access restrictions and obtain sensitive path information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with crucial system architecture details that can be used for subsequent attacks. The exposed installation paths may reveal directory structures, file locations, and potentially sensitive configuration information that could aid in privilege escalation or other exploitation techniques. This information disclosure vulnerability enables attackers to better understand the target environment and plan more sophisticated attacks against the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with valid credentials can potentially exploit this flaw to gather intelligence about the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0321 should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation within the calendar components of the webmail application. System administrators should ensure that calendar-related files do not expose system path information through HTTP responses, and should implement proper authentication checks that validate user permissions before serving sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities and ensure that all web applications properly sanitize output and validate inputs to prevent unauthorized information exposure.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to reconnaissance and credential access, as it enables attackers to gather system information after gaining initial access through legitimate credentials. The exposure of installation paths can facilitate other attack vectors including path traversal attacks or privilege escalation attempts. Security professionals should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems and ensure that proper access controls are implemented across all web application components. The incident highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing of webmail applications and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.