CVE-2005-1105 in JavaMail
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the MimeBodyPart.getFileName method in JavaMail 1.3.2 allows remote attackers to write arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the filename in the Content-Disposition header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1105 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the JavaMail library version 1.3.2, specifically affecting the MimeBodyPart.getFileName method. This security weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate file paths and potentially write arbitrary files to unintended locations on the target system. The vulnerability manifests when processing email messages containing malicious Content-Disposition headers with double dot sequences that indicate parent directory traversal. The flaw resides in how the JavaMail implementation handles filename parsing without proper validation of directory traversal sequences, creating an opportunity for attackers to bypass normal file access controls and execute unauthorized file operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of email headers, specifically the Content-Disposition field which contains filename information. When the MimeBodyPart.getFileName method processes a malicious filename containing .. sequences, the application fails to sanitize the input properly, allowing the traversal characters to be interpreted as legitimate path navigation commands. This creates a path traversal condition where the application may attempt to write files to directories outside the intended target location, potentially overwriting critical system files or creating backdoor access points. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and sanitization in file handling operations, where the application assumes that input from untrusted sources can be safely processed without proper security checks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to email server implementations and applications that process untrusted email content using the affected JavaMail library. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized file system operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The impact extends beyond simple file creation to include potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers might gain elevated system access through carefully crafted email payloads. Organizations using JavaMail 1.3.2 in email processing systems, web applications, or any environment handling email attachments are at risk, particularly those that do not implement additional security controls to validate email content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in software to gain unauthorized access to systems, and represents a common attack vector in email-based exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1105 require immediate action to upgrade to patched versions of the JavaMail library, with version 1.3.3 and later containing the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all filename inputs, particularly those extracted from email headers, by removing or encoding dangerous characters including the .. sequence. Additional protective measures include deploying email filtering systems that scan for suspicious Content-Disposition headers, implementing strict file system access controls, and utilizing sandboxing techniques to isolate email processing operations. Network-based protections such as email gateways and security appliances should be configured to block or flag emails containing potentially malicious filename sequences. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing proper security controls in email processing environments, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can lead to severe security consequences. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of email systems should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the email infrastructure.