CVE-2005-1348 in Professional Edition
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in HTTPMail in MailEnable Enterprise 1.04 and earlier and Professional 1.54 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long HTTP Authorization header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1348 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the HTTPMail component of MailEnable email server software. This issue affects both Enterprise and Professional editions, specifically versions 1.04 and earlier for Enterprise and 1.54 and earlier for Professional. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation within the HTTP authorization header processing mechanism, creating a condition where maliciously crafted HTTP requests can trigger memory corruption. The flaw exists in the way the software handles authentication headers, particularly when processing overly long authorization strings that exceed the allocated buffer space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in the HTTPMail module's handling of HTTP Authorization headers. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted HTTP request containing an excessively long Authorization header, the software fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses or function pointers, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking permits data to be written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local system access or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for network-facing email servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected MailEnable versions. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service account. This typically translates to unauthorized access to email data, potential lateral movement within the network, and possible establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects email server infrastructure that relies on HTTPMail for web-based email access, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to corporate email systems. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, email spoofing, and potential use as a launching point for broader network attacks. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage from email service disruptions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1348 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MailEnable installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to email servers and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP requests containing unusually long authorization headers. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malformed HTTP requests before they reach the vulnerable components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, highlighting the need for proper service hardening and network access controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software. System administrators should also implement proper monitoring and logging of authentication attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit trails for forensic analysis.