CVE-2005-1256 in Ipswitch Collaboration Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the IMAP daemon (IMAPD32.EXE) in IMail 8.13 in Ipswitch Collaboration Suite (ICS), and other versions before IMail Server 8.2 Hotfix 2, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a STATUS command with a long mailbox name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1256 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the IMAP daemon component of Ipswitch Collaboration Suite version 8.13. This issue specifically affects the IMAPD32.EXE executable which handles Internet Message Access Protocol operations for email clients. The vulnerability exists in the processing of STATUS commands when users provide excessively long mailbox names, creating a condition where memory boundaries are exceeded and potentially allowing malicious code execution. The flaw impacts not only the specific version mentioned but also other versions prior to IMail Server 8.2 Hotfix 2, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing this email infrastructure. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access to exploit, meaning that legitimate users with valid credentials can leverage this flaw to compromise system integrity.
The technical mechanism behind this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the IMAP daemon's command processing logic. When a STATUS command is received with a mailbox name exceeding the allocated buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the stack and allowing an attacker to overwrite return addresses or execute injected code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where the buffer size is insufficient to handle the input data. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious mailbox name that exceeds the buffer capacity, causing the program to overwrite critical execution flow information and potentially redirect program execution to malicious payload code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to email communications. Remote authenticated attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges within the email server environment, potentially accessing sensitive email data, user credentials, or using the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability also impacts the availability of the email service since successful exploitation can cause application crashes or system instability. Organizations relying on IMail Server for email services face significant risk of data breaches and service disruption, particularly when considering that this vulnerability affects multiple versions and requires minimal privileges for exploitation. The attack vector is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where email servers serve as critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation is to apply the official hotfix released by Ipswitch for IMail Server 8.2, which patches the buffer overflow condition in the IMAP daemon. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to email servers and enforce strict authentication controls. Input validation should be strengthened at all protocol levels, including implementing maximum length restrictions for mailbox names in STATUS commands. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous IMAP command sequences that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting IMAP daemon access to only necessary users and services. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation as outlined in various security frameworks, with the ATT&CK framework categorizing this under privilege escalation and code execution techniques that attackers use to gain deeper system access after initial compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities.