CVE-2005-2923 in Ipswitch Collaboration Suite
Summary
by MITRE
The IMAP server in IMail Server 8.20 in Ipswitch Collaboration Suite (ICS) before 2.02 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long argument to the LIST command, which causes IMail Server to reference invalid memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2923 represents a classic buffer overflow condition affecting the IMAP server component within Ipswitch Collaboration Suite version 8.20. This flaw specifically manifests when the server processes the LIST command with an excessively long argument, creating a scenario where the application attempts to reference memory locations that have not been properly allocated or validated. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the IMAP protocol implementation, particularly in how the server handles command arguments that exceed expected parameter boundaries. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-121 category of buffer overflow conditions, where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to manipulate memory access patterns and potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker sends a malformed LIST command containing an argument that exceeds the server's expected buffer size limits. When the IMail Server processes this command, it fails to properly validate the argument length before attempting to store or process the data, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in application crash or complete system termination. The memory reference errors that occur during this process can manifest as segmentation faults, access violations, or other system-level failures that prevent legitimate users from accessing the email services. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2923 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall reliability and integrity of email communications within organizations using Ipswitch Collaboration Suite. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can cause significant downtime for email services, affecting business operations and potentially leading to data loss or communication failures during critical periods. Organizations relying on IMail Server for their email infrastructure face the risk of unauthorized service disruption, which could be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where email availability is critical for business continuity. The vulnerability also represents a potential stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as initial denial of service conditions may be used to create opportunities for additional exploitation or to mask more advanced malicious activities within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected Ipswitch Collaboration Suite version, as the vendor released version 2.02 to address this specific memory handling issue. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual LIST command patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation, and establish proper input validation controls at network boundaries. Additionally, implementing redundant email services and maintaining regular backup procedures can help minimize the impact of such denial of service attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in server applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for secure system development and operation.