CVE-2005-4142 in ListManager
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface for subscribing new users in Lyris ListManager 5.0 through 8.8b, in combination with a line wrap feature, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary list administration commands via LFCR (%0A%0D) sequences in the pw parameter. NOTE: it is not clear whether this is a variant of a CRLF injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4142 affects Lyris ListManager versions 5.0 through 8.8b, specifically targeting the web interface responsible for user subscription functionality. This security flaw represents a significant concern for organizations relying on this email list management system, as it potentially allows unauthorized remote execution of administrative commands through carefully crafted input manipulation. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes user subscription requests and incorporates a line wrap feature that fails to properly sanitize input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject command sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of the pw parameter through the insertion of LFCR (%0A%0D) sequences, which represent line feed and carriage return characters in hexadecimal format. When these sequences are processed by the vulnerable web interface, they enable attackers to inject arbitrary commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The combination of the subscription web interface with the line wrap feature creates a condition where input validation is insufficient to prevent the injection of malicious command sequences that can be executed with the privileges of the list administration functions. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic weakness in input sanitization and output encoding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to perform full administrative functions within the email list management system. This includes the ability to add or remove users from lists, modify list configurations, potentially access sensitive subscriber data, and execute commands that could compromise the underlying system. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that expose their email list management interfaces to external networks. The potential for data exfiltration, service disruption, and unauthorized communication through compromised lists creates a multi-faceted threat scenario that organizations must address immediately.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all parameters passed to the subscription interface, particularly focusing on the pw parameter and other user input fields. The implementation of proper output encoding for line break characters and the removal or disabling of unnecessary line wrap features in the web interface configuration would significantly reduce the attack surface. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access controls should be deployed to limit exposure of the vulnerable interface to untrusted networks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-79 categories related to injection flaws and cross-site scripting respectively, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving command and control communications and privilege escalation through web application exploitation. The remediation approach should include comprehensive code review and input validation implementation, with particular attention to ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed by the application's administrative functions.