CVE-2006-2138 in neomail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in neomail.pl in NeoMail 1.29 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sessionid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The CVE-2006-2138 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in NeoMail 1.29's neomail.pl web application component. This vulnerability resides in the sessionid parameter handling mechanism, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and data confidentiality. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as an XSS attack vector that can be exploited without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the sessionid parameter value. When a victim clicks such a link or navigates to a malicious page that triggers the vulnerable script, the web application processes the unvalidated input and reflects the malicious content back to the user's browser. This reflection mechanism creates an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can execute with the privileges of the victim's session, potentially allowing for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core session management functionality of the mail application, which typically holds sensitive user information and access credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-2138 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete session compromise and unauthorized access to user mailboxes. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, impersonate legitimate users, and access confidential email communications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in webmail environments where users may be browsing with elevated privileges or accessing sensitive corporate communications. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for "Use of Unsecured Credentials" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript," demonstrating how attackers can exploit web application flaws to establish persistent access and execute malicious code within user contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for the sessionid field, ensuring that all user-supplied input undergoes sanitization before being processed or returned to users. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML escaping and context-specific output encoding to prevent script execution in web contexts. Additionally, security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and input validation testing, as highlighted in OWASP Top Ten categories related to injection flaws and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific parameter.