CVE-2005-4402 in MailEnable Professional
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in MailEnable Professional 1.71 and earlier, and Enterprise 1.1 and earlier, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a long IMAP EXAMINE command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4402 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within MailEnable email server software affecting both Professional and Enterprise editions. This security issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the IMAP protocol implementation, specifically when processing the EXAMINE command. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities by submitting excessively long command parameters that exceed the allocated buffer space. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials to exploit, making it accessible to users who have legitimate access to the mail server but could potentially abuse their privileges.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the IMAP service component where the EXAMINE command processes mailbox names and associated parameters. When an authenticated user submits a malformed IMAP command containing an overly long argument, the software fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition creates a situation where adjacent memory locations become overwritten, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate program execution flow and inject malicious code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented pattern in software security that has been extensively studied and catalogued within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on MailEnable for their email infrastructure. The requirement for only authenticated access means that compromised accounts or insider threats could immediately exploit this weakness without additional reconnaissance. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the mail server process. This could result in data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or establishment of persistent backdoors within the network. The attack vector through IMAP protocol also means that the vulnerability could be exploited from external networks, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to email infrastructure from outside the organization's perimeter.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address this buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit IMAP access to trusted sources. Monitoring for unusual IMAP command patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their email infrastructure and ensure that all software components are kept up to date with the latest security patches. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation mechanisms to prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams. Regular security training for system administrators and developers can help prevent similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases.