CVE-2005-2933 in UW-IMAP
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the mail_valid_net_parse_work function in mail.c for Washington s IMAP Server (UW-IMAP) before imap-2004g allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a mailbox name containing a single double-quote (") character without a closing quote, which causes bytes after the double-quote to be copied into a buffer indefinitely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2933 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Washington University IMAP Server implementation known as UW-IMAP. This issue specifically affects versions prior to imap-2004g and resides within the mail_valid_net_parse_work function located in the mail.c source file. The flaw manifests when processing mailbox names that contain a single double-quote character without a corresponding closing quote, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on the affected system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and buffer management within the IMAP server's parsing logic. When the mail_valid_net_parse_work function encounters a mailbox name containing an unmatched double-quote character, it fails to properly terminate the string processing operation. This deficiency allows the parsing routine to continue copying bytes beyond the intended buffer boundaries, effectively overflowing the allocated memory space. The buffer overflow occurs because the function does not adequately check for proper quote termination or implement bounds checking mechanisms to prevent excessive data copying into the fixed-size buffer allocated for mailbox name processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe security risk to organizations relying on UW-IMAP servers for email services. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting specially formatted mailbox names that trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially allowing them to execute malicious code with the privileges of the IMAP server process. The implications extend beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized access to email communications, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Given that IMAP servers typically handle sensitive email data and often run with elevated privileges, the impact of such an exploit can be particularly devastating for enterprise environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that enables arbitrary code execution. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this flaw maps to techniques involving command and control communications, privilege escalation, and execution through valid accounts, as attackers can leverage the compromised server to conduct further malicious activities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for imap-2004g or later versions, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious mailbox name patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of email infrastructure and proper input sanitization practices should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the email ecosystem.