CVE-2006-2974 in Email Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in EmailArchitect Email Server 6.1.0.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) errCode and (2) uid parameter in (a) default.asp and (3) dname parameter in (b) /admin/dns.asp and (c) /additional/regdomain_done.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2017
The CVE-2006-2974 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting EmailArchitect Email Server versions 6.1.0.5 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the server's web interface components and exposes multiple attack vectors that could enable remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of victim browsers. The flaw specifically targets parameter handling in several key administrative pages, creating opportunities for persistent and reflected XSS attacks that could compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the EmailArchitect Email Server's web application framework. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating four distinct parameters across different files: errCode and uid parameters in default.asp, and the dname parameter in both /admin/dns.asp and /additional/regdomain_done.asp. These parameters receive user-supplied data without proper sanitization or encoding, allowing malicious payloads to be injected directly into the server's response. The vulnerability manifests as reflected XSS when the server incorporates unsanitized input directly into HTML output, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-2974 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions and user data. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, modify email configurations, or even gain persistent access to the email server through session hijacking techniques. The vulnerability affects the server's administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to compromise the entire email infrastructure. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can lead to severe security consequences.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the EmailArchitect Email Server to version 6.1.0.6 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all web application components, ensuring that user-supplied data is sanitized before being incorporated into HTML responses. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted networks only. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications, with particular attention to parameter handling in server-side scripts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 for credential access through social engineering and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the potential for further exploitation once initial access is gained through the XSS vector.