CVE-2006-0793 in V-webmail
Summary
by MITRE
frameset.php in V-webmail 1.6.2 allows remote attackers to conduct phishing attacks by referencing arbitrary websites in the rframe parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0793 resides within the frameset.php component of V-webmail version 1.6.2, presenting a significant security risk that enables remote attackers to execute phishing attacks through manipulated web references. This flaw specifically exploits the rframe parameter which is designed to handle frame references within the webmail interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to redirect users to deceptive websites that appear legitimate within the context of the email client.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the frameset.php script. When the rframe parameter receives user-supplied input without proper filtering or encoding, it allows arbitrary URLs to be embedded within the webmail interface's frame structure. This creates a scenario where attackers can craft malicious links that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, load fraudulent websites within the context of the legitimate email application, thereby deceiving users into believing they are interacting with trusted services. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference combined with cross-site scripting principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attempts, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting, malware distribution, and social engineering campaigns. Users who access compromised links within the V-webmail interface may unknowingly enter sensitive information on fraudulent sites that appear to be legitimate parts of their email service. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust users place in their email applications, making it more likely for victims to fall for deception attempts. This vulnerability affects the integrity of user sessions and can potentially lead to account compromise, data theft, and broader security breaches within the affected organization's email infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the frameset.php script, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are thoroughly validated against a whitelist of acceptable URLs or domains. Organizations should also implement proper URL encoding and context-specific escaping to prevent malicious URLs from being processed within the frame structure. The remediation process involves updating the V-webmail software to a patched version that addresses this specific vulnerability, while also considering the implementation of content security policies that restrict frame loading from untrusted sources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting phishing through malicious links. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their email infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all web applications properly validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent similar exploitation vectors.