CVE-2006-4658 in Panda Platinum Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
Panda Platinum Internet Security 2006 10.02.01 and 2007 11.00.00 uses sequential message numbers in generated URLs that are not filtered if the user replies to a message, which might allow remote attackers to determine mail usage patterns.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2019
This vulnerability exists in Panda Platinum Internet Security 2006 version 10.02.01 and 2007 version 11.00.00 where the software generates URLs with sequential message numbers that lack proper filtering mechanisms. The flaw stems from the application's failure to implement adequate security controls when processing email replies, creating a predictable pattern in URL generation that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper information handling, and specifically relates to the disclosure of information that could aid in targeting attacks. When users reply to messages, the system generates URLs containing sequential identifiers that follow a predictable numerical pattern, making it possible for attackers to analyze communication patterns and potentially infer user behavior, email traffic volumes, and system usage trends.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to monitor network traffic and observe the sequential URL patterns generated by the security software. This predictable sequence enables adversaries to correlate message numbers with specific email activities, potentially identifying high-traffic periods, user engagement patterns, and communication frequency. The flaw represents a significant information disclosure risk as it provides attackers with metadata about system usage that could be leveraged for more sophisticated targeting attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level where email processing occurs, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring tools. From an operational perspective, this weakness could enable adversaries to perform reconnaissance activities and gather intelligence about the target organization's communication patterns, potentially leading to more targeted social engineering attacks or privilege escalation attempts.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates opportunities for attackers to conduct behavioral analysis and pattern recognition against email systems. Attackers could use the predictable URL patterns to map out user activity, identify key personnel based on communication frequency, and potentially correlate this information with other data sources to build comprehensive profiles of organizational communication patterns. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1592, which involves reconnaissance through information gathering, and T1082, which covers system information discovery. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles where predictable identifiers are used without proper entropy or randomization, making it easier for attackers to understand system behavior and potentially exploit other weaknesses in the security stack.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper URL generation mechanisms that incorporate randomization or cryptographic hashing to eliminate predictable patterns in message identifiers. Security patches should ensure that all generated URLs contain sufficient entropy and that reply processing does not expose sequential numbering schemes. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The solution requires updating the software to use cryptographically secure random number generators for URL component creation and implementing proper input validation to prevent the leakage of internal system identifiers. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the importance of not relying on predictable patterns in system-generated identifiers, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant information disclosure risks that compromise overall security posture.