CVE-2005-4457 in MailEnable Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
MailEnable Enterprise 1.1 before patch ME-10009 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via several "..." (triple dot) sequences in a UID FETCH command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4457 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within MailEnable Enterprise 1.1 that arises from improper input validation during the processing of IMAP commands. This flaw specifically manifests when the system encounters multiple consecutive dot sequences within a UID FETCH command, creating a scenario where malicious input can trigger unpredictable behavior in the email server software. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level of the IMAP service, which is commonly used for accessing email messages on remote servers. The triple dot sequences act as a trigger mechanism that causes the application to mishandle memory allocation during command parsing, leading to potential system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages a classic buffer overflow attack pattern that aligns with CWE-121, which describes conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write past the end of allocated buffer space. When MailEnable processes the malformed UID FETCH command containing the triple dot sequences, the application fails to properly validate the length and content of the input string, resulting in memory corruption that can cause the service to crash or potentially allow remote code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution when attackers can control the memory layout of the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates potential entry points for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise entire email infrastructure. Organizations using MailEnable Enterprise 1.1 without the ME-10009 patch are at risk of experiencing service interruptions that can disrupt email communications for entire user bases. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system, which could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive email data. Attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools that scan for vulnerable mail servers across the internet.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability centers on applying the vendor-provided patch ME-10009, which addresses the specific buffer overflow condition in the IMAP processing code. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to IMAP ports from untrusted networks, and consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious IMAP command sequences. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable services and ensure that all email infrastructure components are properly maintained with current security patches. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patch in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to prevent unintended service disruptions. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation in email server applications, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's methodology for defending against remote code execution vulnerabilities in enterprise email systems.