CVE-2005-1252 in Imail
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Web Calendaring server in Ipswitch Imail 8.13, and other versions before IMail Server 8.2 Hotfix 2, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via "..\" (dot dot backslash) sequences in the query string argument in a GET request to a non-existent .jsp file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1252 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Web Calendaring server component of Ipswitch Imail 8.13 and earlier versions. This weakness specifically affects the server's handling of file path resolution when processing HTTP GET requests directed at non-existent .jsp files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process or reject malicious path traversal sequences. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted URLs containing "..\" sequences in the query string argument, which allows them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This flaw fundamentally compromises the server's file access controls and represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that has been consistently identified across various web applications and servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the server's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input parameters before using them in file system operations. When a GET request is made to a non-existent .jsp file, the Web Calendaring server processes the query string arguments without adequate sanitization of directory traversal sequences. The "..\" pattern specifically targets Windows-based file systems where backslash characters are used as path separators, allowing attackers to traverse up directory levels and access files that should remain protected. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines the weakness as improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to complete compromise of file system access controls, enabling unauthorized reading of sensitive files including configuration files, user data, and potentially system files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access potentially sensitive data stored on the server. Attackers could retrieve configuration files containing database credentials, user authentication details, or other sensitive information that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects not only the calendar functionality but potentially exposes the entire web server filesystem to unauthorized access, making it particularly dangerous for email servers that often contain valuable user data and system configurations. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, and T1566, which involves phishing with a malicious attachment or link. Organizations running affected versions of Imail servers face significant risk of data breaches and potential system compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of the vendor-provided hotfix version 8.2 Hotfix 2, which addresses the directory traversal flaw through proper input validation and sanitization. System administrators should also implement network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to potentially vulnerable endpoints and implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other web applications and server components. Additionally, organizations should establish robust input validation practices across all web applications, implementing proper sanitization of user-supplied data before any file system operations are performed. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while effectively preventing the exploitation of directory traversal vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future.