CVE-2005-3692 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in AMAX Magic Winmail Server 4.2 (build 0824) and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) retid parameter in badlogin.php, (2) Content-Type headers in HTML mails, and (3) HTML mail attachments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
The CVE-2005-3692 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the AMAX Magic Winmail Server version 4.2 and earlier installations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the email server software, creating multiple attack vectors that enable remote threat actors to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability affects the server's handling of user input across three distinct parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple pathways for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three primary attack vectors that all exploit the same fundamental flaw in input sanitization. The first vector involves the retid parameter within the badlogin.php script, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into server responses without proper validation or encoding. The second vector targets Content-Type headers in HTML emails, where the server fails to sanitize header values that could contain malicious script code. The third vector involves HTML mail attachments, where the server does not adequately process or escape content within email attachments before rendering them in web interfaces. These attack vectors collectively demonstrate a lack of proper input filtering and output encoding throughout the server's processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially gain unauthorized access to email accounts. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows threat actors to inject malicious JavaScript code that can capture cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The severity is amplified by the fact that email servers typically handle sensitive communications, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizations relying on the affected mail server. This vulnerability also aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing with malicious attachments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and multiple layers of defense. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions of the AMAX Magic Winmail Server software, as this represents the most effective long-term solution. In the interim, administrators should implement input validation filters that sanitize all user-supplied data, particularly parameters like retid, and ensure proper encoding of all output sent to web clients. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious payloads, while user education regarding suspicious email attachments and links remains crucial. Additionally, implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary HTML email rendering capabilities can significantly reduce the attack surface for this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 emphasizes the importance of comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application lifecycle, while its mapping to ATT&CK techniques highlights the need for layered defensive measures against email-based attack vectors.