CVE-2005-1489 in Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Merak Mail Server 8.0.3 with Icewarp Web Mail 5.4.2 allows remote authenticated users to obtain the full path of the server via certain requests to (1) calendar_addevent.html, (2) calendar_event.html, or (3) calendar_task.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2017
This vulnerability resides in the Merak Mail Server 8.0.3 platform when integrated with Icewarp Web Mail 5.4.2, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system path information to authenticated remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically affects three calendar-related web pages within the Icewarp web interface, namely calendar_addevent.html, calendar_event.html, and calendar_task.html, which are accessible through HTTP requests. The flaw occurs when these pages process certain user requests, causing the server to reveal its complete file system path structure in error responses or page content. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure as defined by CWE-200, where system information is inadvertently exposed to unauthorized parties. The attack vector requires only authenticated access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to understand the target system's file structure and directory hierarchy. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal or information leakage pattern where insufficient input validation allows the web application to leak internal server paths, which can include absolute directory structures, file locations, and potentially sensitive configuration information. This exposure significantly weakens the security posture of the mail server, as attackers can leverage the disclosed paths for further exploitation attempts including directory traversal attacks, privilege escalation, or targeted attacks against specific system components. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked paths can be used to map the server's file system structure, potentially revealing sensitive directories, configuration files, or application code locations that could aid in subsequent attacks.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper error handling or insufficient sanitization of user inputs in the calendar-related web pages. When authenticated users submit requests to these specific endpoints, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters, resulting in the server's internal path information being included in the response. This could manifest in error messages, debug information, or even in the HTML content itself, depending on how the application processes the requests. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the attacker only needs valid authentication credentials to access the calendar functionality. This authentication requirement significantly reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities, but still represents a serious security flaw that can be leveraged by malicious insiders or compromised accounts. The affected components are part of the web interface layer, specifically the calendar module, which suggests that the vulnerability exists in the application's presentation logic rather than core server functionality. This categorization aligns with CWE-365, which addresses insecure direct object references where application components directly reference objects without proper authorization checks, though in this case the issue is more about information leakage than unauthorized access. The vulnerability's exploitation is straightforward and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors who wish to gather intelligence about the target system. The disclosed paths can reveal not only the basic directory structure but potentially sensitive information about the installation location, which could be used to craft more sophisticated attacks against the specific server environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate information disclosure, creating a foundation for more complex attack scenarios that can compromise the entire mail server infrastructure. Attackers who obtain these paths can use them to perform directory traversal attacks, potentially accessing sensitive files such as configuration databases, user credentials, or application source code. The leaked information can be combined with other reconnaissance data to map the server's architecture, identify running services, and determine potential attack vectors. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations that rely heavily on email services, as the Merak Mail Server is commonly used in enterprise environments where the exposure of internal paths can reveal critical infrastructure information. The vulnerability also affects the principle of least privilege, as authenticated users should not be able to access system-level information that is typically restricted to administrators or system processes. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability could result in violations of security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly in areas related to information protection and access control. The vulnerability's presence in a widely deployed mail server platform increases its potential impact, as organizations may have numerous users with calendar access rights, each potentially able to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape, where information disclosure flaws often serve as precursors to more serious attacks, including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The remediation of this vulnerability requires proper input validation, error handling, and output sanitization within the calendar module, ensuring that no internal path information is exposed to end users regardless of their authentication status. This vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and the need for robust input validation mechanisms throughout web applications, as even seemingly innocuous features like calendar functionality can contain critical security flaws.