CVE-2006-0937 in Mailgust
Summary
by MITRE
U.N.U. Mailgust 1.9 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to index.php with method=showfullcsv, which reveals the POP3 server configuration, including account name and password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0937 affects U.N.U. Mailgust version 1.9, a web-based email management system that exposes critical security flaws through improper access control mechanisms. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of direct requests to the index.php script with specific method parameters, creating a path for unauthorized information disclosure that fundamentally undermines the system's security posture.
The technical flaw manifests through the method=showfullcsv parameter within the index.php script, which lacks proper authentication checks and input validation. When accessed remotely without appropriate authorization, this parameter triggers the application to return comprehensive POP3 server configuration details including account names and passwords stored within the system. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient access control, where the application fails to verify user credentials before exposing sensitive configuration data. This weakness directly maps to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and specifically demonstrates how lack of authentication checks can lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information exposure, as it provides attackers with complete POP3 server credentials that can be used for unauthorized email access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this information to gain persistent access to email accounts, potentially compromising business communications, customer data, and sensitive organizational information. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the system, making it particularly dangerous in internet-facing applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors, and T1078, which addresses legitimate credentials usage for persistence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and implement comprehensive access control measures. Organizations should immediately implement authentication requirements for all application endpoints, particularly those that handle sensitive configuration data. The application should be updated to version 1.9.1 or later, as this release includes proper access control mechanisms and input validation. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the index.php script and other administrative endpoints. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of access attempts to sensitive endpoints will help detect and respond to exploitation attempts. Security best practices recommend that all configuration data, particularly authentication credentials, should never be exposed through web interfaces without proper authorization mechanisms, aligning with NIST SP 800-53 security controls that emphasize access control and information protection requirements.