CVE-2006-3229 in Open WebMail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Open WebMail (OWM) 2.52, and other versions released before 05/12/2006, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) To and (2) From fields in openwebmail-main.pl, and possibly (3) other unspecified vectors related to "openwebmailerror calls that need to display HTML."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2017
The CVE-2006-3229 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Open WebMail version 2.52 and earlier releases prior to the 05/12/2006 timeline. This vulnerability resides within the webmail application's handling of user input fields, specifically targeting the To and From fields within the openwebmail-main.pl component. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this email system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Open WebMail application. When users submit email addresses or other data through the affected fields, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious payloads that execute when other users view the affected email messages. The vulnerability extends beyond just the To and From fields to include unspecified vectors related to "openwebmailerror calls that need to display HTML," indicating that error handling mechanisms may also be susceptible to similar injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially access sensitive email communications. An attacker could craft malicious email messages containing JavaScript code that executes when recipients view their inbox, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious websites, or performing unauthorized actions within the webmail interface. This type of attack could lead to complete account compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to confidential information stored within the email system. The vulnerability affects organizations using older versions of Open WebMail, making it particularly concerning for enterprises that have not updated their systems.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566, which involves the deployment of malicious code through phishing or other social engineering methods. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Open WebMail, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their email infrastructure. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious traffic patterns associated with XSS payloads, and user education programs should be strengthened to recognize potentially malicious email content. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust web application security controls to prevent such persistent threats in email systems.