CVE-2006-4952 in Neon WebMail
Summary
by MITRE
The updatemail servlet in Neon WebMail for Java before 5.08 allows remote attackers to move e-mail messages of arbitrary users between different mail folders, specified by the folderid and tofolderid parameters, via the ID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4952 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Neon WebMail for Java application that affects versions prior to 5.08. This issue resides in the updatemail servlet component which handles email message operations within the webmail interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms that fail to properly verify user permissions when processing folder movement requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the folderid and tofolderid parameters through the ID parameter to perform unauthorized email message repositioning across different user mail folders.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authorization checking where the application fails to validate whether the authenticated user has legitimate rights to move messages between the specified folders. This flaw operates at the application logic level and constitutes a direct violation of the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local system access or privileged credentials beyond initial authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web-based email applications where users may have varying levels of access rights.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Neon WebMail for Java as it allows attackers to potentially access and manipulate email content belonging to other users within the same system. The impact extends beyond simple message movement since it could enable attackers to bypass normal email organization and retrieval mechanisms, potentially leading to information disclosure or message manipulation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the email system, as unauthorized users could move messages to folders where they might be more easily discovered or where they could be deleted from their original locations. This type of flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use and privilege escalation through application-level vulnerabilities.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through simple parameter manipulation in HTTP requests. Attackers typically need only to identify valid folder identifiers and construct malicious requests that leverage the vulnerable parameter handling. Organizations using affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including patching to version 5.08 or later, implementing additional access controls, and monitoring for suspicious folder movement activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and proper authorization checks in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous folder movement patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.