CVE-2005-2083 in IA eMailServer
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in IMAP4 in IA eMailServer Corporate Edition 5.2.2 build 1051 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a LIST command with format string specifiers as the second argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2083 represents a critical format string flaw within the IMAP4 implementation of IA eMailServer Corporate Edition version 5.2.2 build 1051. This security weakness resides in the server's handling of the LIST command, specifically when processing the second argument which contains user-supplied input. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before using them in format string operations, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of format strings with user-supplied data without proper validation or sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker sends a specially crafted LIST command with format string specifiers embedded in the second argument. When the server processes this input without proper input validation, the format string vulnerability allows the attacker to manipulate how the application interprets and processes the input data. This manipulation can lead to memory corruption, stack pointer manipulation, or other low-level memory issues that ultimately result in application instability. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited over a network connection without requiring authentication, making it a significant threat to email server availability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe denial of service condition that can bring down the entire email server infrastructure. When successfully exploited, the format string vulnerability causes the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly, resulting in complete service disruption for all users relying on the email server. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as administrators must perform manual intervention to restart services, potentially losing email data in transit, and facing potential downtime that can affect business operations. The vulnerability also represents a potential stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as the server crash can be used to mask other malicious activities or to establish a baseline for further exploitation attempts.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor patches if available, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious LIST command patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper error handling in network services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to identify and block malicious LIST command sequences containing format string specifiers. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on string handling functions and their interaction with user-supplied input, as recommended by industry standards for preventing format string vulnerabilities.