CVE-2005-2595 in Dada Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Dada Mail before 2.10 Alpha 1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Javascript via archived messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The CVE-2005-2595 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Dada Mail versions prior to 2.10 Alpha 1, which fundamentally compromises the security of web applications relying on this email management system. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS attack vector that enables malicious actors to inject persistent JavaScript code into archived messages within the application's message archive functionality. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly sanitize user input when processing archived messages, allowing attackers to embed malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view these archived communications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of message content within the Dada Mail system's archival mechanism, where unfiltered user-supplied data is stored and subsequently rendered without adequate sanitization or encoding. When legitimate users access archived messages containing malicious JavaScript payloads, the browser executes these scripts in the context of the victim's session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This stored XSS vector is particularly dangerous because the malicious code persists in the application's database and executes automatically whenever affected users view the compromised archived messages, making it a latent threat that can affect multiple users over extended periods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass broader security implications for organizations using Dada Mail for email communications and collaboration. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users within the application's context. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on message archiving for historical communication records, as it transforms the archival functionality from a legitimate business tool into a vector for ongoing exploitation. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive communications, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of user accounts, especially in environments where Dada Mail serves as a primary communication platform for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2595 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Dada Mail application, specifically addressing the message archival and rendering processes. Organizations should upgrade to Dada Mail version 2.10 Alpha 1 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched through proper sanitization of user input before storage and appropriate HTML encoding during message display. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, deploying web application firewalls to monitor for malicious script patterns, and conducting regular security audits of message handling components. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and T1059.007 for scripting through JavaScript execution, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and output encoding as core defensive measures against XSS vulnerabilities.