CVE-2005-3428 in MailSite Express
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Rockliffe MailSite Express before 6.1.22 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a message body.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3428 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Rockliffe MailSite Express versions prior to 6.1.22. This vulnerability exists within the email message processing functionality where the application fails to properly sanitize user input contained in message bodies before rendering them in web interfaces. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers who view affected emails, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and data confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the MailSite Express web interface. When email messages are displayed in the browser, the application directly incorporates message content without proper sanitization of potentially malicious script tags or javascript code. This weakness aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly handled in web applications. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user-supplied content bypasses security controls designed to prevent code injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft an email message containing malicious javascript that executes when any user opens the message in their browser, potentially compromising all users within the organization who access the affected system. This creates a persistent threat vector that can remain active for extended periods, as the malicious content is embedded within legitimate email messages. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of email communications, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive information or manipulate user sessions through the web-based email interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment to upgrade to MailSite Express version 6.1.22 or later which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script patterns, enhanced email content filtering that scans for suspicious javascript code, and user education about the risks of opening untrusted emails. Network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact if an attacker successfully exploits the vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the security vulnerability is eliminated. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in web-based email applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious email content and T1071 which addresses application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.