CVE-2005-1490 in Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
merak mail server 8.0.3 with icewarp web mail 5.4.2 when the mailbox.dat file does not exist allows remote authenticated users to determine if a file exists via the folder parameter to attachment.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1490 represents a classic information disclosure flaw within the Merak mail server 8.0.3 integrated with IceWarp web mail 5.4.2. This issue arises from improper validation of user input in the web mail interface, specifically when handling file existence checks through the folder parameter in the attachment.html script. The vulnerability exists in the context of a remote authenticated attack vector, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to exploit this weakness, though the impact extends beyond simple authentication requirements.
The technical flaw manifests when the mailbox.dat file is missing from the system, creating a condition where the web application fails to properly handle the absence of critical files during attachment processing. When a remote authenticated user submits a crafted folder parameter to the attachment.html endpoint, the application's response reveals whether the targeted file exists on the server filesystem. This behavior stems from insufficient error handling and input validation mechanisms within the web mail server's file access routines, particularly when dealing with non-existent mailbox data structures. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which describes information exposure through improper error handling, and represents a clear case of insecure error message generation that inadvertently provides attackers with system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file enumeration, as it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against the mail server infrastructure. An attacker can systematically test various file paths and determine the existence of sensitive files within the server's file structure, potentially identifying other vulnerable components or gathering intelligence about the server configuration. This information disclosure capability significantly weakens the overall security posture of the mail server environment, as it provides attackers with knowledge about the underlying file system structure and potentially exposes other attack vectors. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers file and directory discovery, making it a valuable reconnaissance tool for threat actors planning more sophisticated attacks against the same infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the web mail application. System administrators should ensure that all file access operations properly validate the existence of target files and return generic error messages regardless of whether files exist or not. The recommended approach includes implementing strict parameter validation for the folder parameter in attachment.html, ensuring that the application does not expose system file existence information through its response handling. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to the Merak mail server and IceWarp web mail components to address similar vulnerabilities in the broader codebase. Network segmentation and access controls should also be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.