CVE-2005-1120 in IlohaMail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in IlohaMail 0.8.14 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the e-mail (1) body, (2) filename, or (3) MIME type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1120 represents a critical security flaw in IlohaMail version 0.8.14 and earlier systems, specifically targeting cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious code through email content. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists within the email processing mechanisms of IlohaMail, where insufficient input validation and output encoding permit malicious payloads to be embedded in email components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three primary attack vectors within the email processing pipeline. Attackers can inject malicious scripts into the email body content, file attachment names, or MIME type headers without proper sanitization. When legitimate users view these compromised emails through the vulnerable IlohaMail interface, the embedded scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where user-supplied data flows directly into web page output without appropriate escaping or encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1120 extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential for significant security breaches within email systems that rely on IlohaMail. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform session fixation attacks, steal user authentication tokens, or redirect victims to phishing sites that mimic legitimate email services. The attack surface is particularly concerning because email remains a primary vector for social engineering and advanced persistent threats, making this vulnerability especially dangerous in enterprise environments where email communication is prevalent. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of phishing campaigns to deliver malicious payloads through email.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the email processing pipeline. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied content is properly sanitized before being rendered in web interfaces, utilizing libraries that can escape special characters and prevent script execution. The most effective remediation involves updating to IlohaMail versions that have addressed these XSS vulnerabilities through proper code review and implementation of secure coding practices. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, using anti-XSS filters, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network-level protections such as email filtering systems and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense against such attacks, though they should not be considered substitutes for proper application-level fixes.
The vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation in web applications can create persistent security risks that remain exploitable for extended periods. Modern security frameworks emphasize the importance of defense-in-depth approaches where multiple layers of protection work together to prevent exploitation. Organizations should implement regular security patch management processes to address known vulnerabilities promptly. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for regular security training for developers to prevent similar issues in custom applications. This case study serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and properly encoding output in web applications to prevent cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise entire user sessions and data integrity.