CVE-2005-2931 in Ipswitch Collaboration Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the SMTP service in IMail Server 8.20 in Ipswitch Collaboration Suite (ICS) before 2.02 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers to the (1) EXPN, (2) MAIL, (3) MAIL FROM, and (4) RCPT TO commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2931 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the SMTP service of IMail Server 8.20, which is part of the Ipswitch Collaboration Suite. This flaw exists in the handling of specific SMTP commands and provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the EXPN, MAIL, MAIL FROM, and RCPT TO SMTP commands, which are fundamental components of email server operations. Such a vulnerability in core email server functionality poses significant risks to organizations relying on this software for their email communications infrastructure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and processing within the SMTP service implementation. When the server processes the specified SMTP commands, it fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in format string operations. This allows attackers to inject format specifiers that can manipulate the program's execution flow. According to CWE-134, this vulnerability maps directly to the weakness of using user-controlled format strings without proper validation, which is a well-documented pattern leading to arbitrary code execution. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow scenario where attacker-controlled data is interpreted as format specifiers rather than literal text, potentially leading to stack manipulation and code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with full control over the affected email server. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, email spoofing, and potential lateral movement within the network. Email servers are often critical infrastructure components that may contain sensitive information and serve as entry points for broader network attacks. The vulnerability affects organizations using IMail Server 8.20, which represents a significant portion of email server deployments in enterprise environments during that time period. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of remote services for initial access and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of the security patch released by Ipswitch, which addresses the format string handling in the SMTP service. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to email servers, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and establish proper access controls for SMTP services. The patch addresses the core issue by implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all SMTP commands, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as format specifiers. Security teams should also consider implementing email filtering solutions and monitoring for unusual SMTP command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in network services and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their email infrastructure and ensure all email server software remains current with security patches to prevent similar exploitation scenarios.