CVE-2005-3470 in MailScanner
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in in the authenticate function in MailWatch for MailScanner 1.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3470 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the MailWatch application that serves as a web interface for MailScanner email security software. This vulnerability specifically targets the authenticate function within MailWatch version 1.0.2, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql commands, which directly aligns with common weakness patterns documented in the common weakness enumeration framework. The vulnerability exists in the authentication mechanism that handles user credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it could allow unauthorized access to the email monitoring system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input flows directly into sql query construction without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious sql payloads through login fields or other input vectors that ultimately reach the vulnerable authenticate function. The absence of input validation means that sql metacharacters and commands can be interpreted by the database engine rather than treated as literal data, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary sql statements with the privileges of the database user account. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined in the common weakness enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that this occurs in an authentication function, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or extract sensitive data from the underlying database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of email monitoring services. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, email content, system configurations, or other sensitive information stored within the database. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network proximity, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on mailwatch for email security monitoring. Additionally, successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify database contents, potentially corrupting the email monitoring functionality or creating backdoors within the system. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the email security infrastructure, as documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under the attack technique of t1213 data from information repositories. The potential for privilege escalation exists when the database user account has elevated permissions, further amplifying the security implications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3470 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries within the authenticate function. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of MailWatch and MailScanner as the primary remediation measure, since this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, input sanitization measures including character encoding, length validation, and whitelist-based input filtering should be deployed to reduce the attack surface. Network-level protections such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious sql injection attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the email security infrastructure, following established security frameworks and standards for secure coding practices. Access controls should be implemented to limit database access permissions and reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.