CVE-2005-1255 in IMail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the IMAP server in IMail 8.12 and 8.13 in Ipswitch Collaboration Suite (ICS), and other versions before IMail Server 8.2 Hotfix 2, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a LOGIN command with (1) a long username argument or (2) a long username argument that begins with a special character.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1255 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the IMAP server component of Ipswitch Collaboration Suite version 8.12 and 8.13. This flaw exists within the IMail server implementation and affects versions prior to the release of IMail Server 8.2 Hotfix 2, making it a significant security concern for organizations relying on this email infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the LOGIN command processing mechanism within the IMAP protocol implementation, where improper input validation leads to memory corruption conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space in memory. When a remote attacker sends a LOGIN command with either an excessively long username argument or a username argument beginning with a special character, the IMAP server fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the IMAP server process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered without authentication, making it an attractive target for remote exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to email infrastructure and potentially sensitive organizational data. Organizations running affected versions of IMail server face risks including unauthorized email access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where email servers are exposed to external networks. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, depending on memory layout and protection mechanisms in place.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1255 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the available hotfix from Ipswitch, specifically IMail Server 8.2 Hotfix 2. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of email servers to untrusted networks and consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious LOGIN command patterns. Security controls should include disabling unnecessary IMAP services where possible and implementing strict input validation for all protocol commands. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in network service implementations. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques found in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1133 External Remote Services, highlighting the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response capabilities. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential buffer overflow conditions in legacy email infrastructure components that may share similar architectural flaws.