CVE-2005-2662 in masqmail
Summary
by MITRE
masqmail before 0.2.18 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via crafted e-mail addresses that are not properly sanitized when creating a failed delivery message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2662 affects masqmail versions prior to 0218 and represents a critical command injection flaw in the email handling mechanism. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization when processing email addresses during failed delivery message generation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The flaw specifically manifests when masqmail processes malformed email addresses that are not properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into system commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the principle of command injection through improper input handling in email address parsing. When masqmail encounters a failed delivery scenario, it constructs error messages that include the problematic email address in system command execution contexts. The lack of proper sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious command sequences that get executed with the privileges of the masqmail process, typically running with elevated system permissions. This represents a classic security flaw where user-controllable input directly influences system command execution without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to system resources, file manipulation capabilities, and possible privilege escalation opportunities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require local access or authentication to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where email services are exposed to external traffic. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-78 and CWE-88 categories related to command injection and improper input sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of masqmail to version 0.2.18 or later, which includes proper input sanitization for email addresses in failed delivery scenarios. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of email services to untrusted networks and consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious email address patterns. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate email functionality remains intact while the security vulnerability is eliminated. Additionally, system administrators should review and implement proper input validation practices for all email processing components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could potentially be used as a persistence mechanism in compromised environments.