CVE-2006-4955 in Neon WebMail
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the downloadfile servlet in Neon WebMail for Java before 5.08 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) sequence in the (1) savefolder and (2) savefilename parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The CVE-2006-4955 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Neon WebMail for Java application that affects versions prior to 5.08. This vulnerability resides within the downloadfile servlet component and demonstrates a classic path traversal attack vector that enables remote adversaries to access arbitrary files on the underlying file system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes the savefolder and savefilename parameters through the .. (dot dot) sequence, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access restricted system files.
This directory traversal vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters before using them in file system operations. When the savefolder and savefilename parameters contain sequences such as ../ or ..\, the application processes these paths without adequate restrictions, resulting in the ability to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files outside of the intended web application directory structure. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in input validation and access control mechanisms within the web application's file handling routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially user credentials stored on the server. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read system files such as password hashes, database connection strings, application configuration files, and other sensitive data that could facilitate further compromise of the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation tools. Attackers can construct malicious URLs that include the directory traversal sequences to access files that should remain protected within the web application's restricted directories.
The security implications of CVE-2006-4955 align with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) where attackers can use the vulnerability to discover and access sensitive files. The vulnerability also supports techniques like T1574 (Hijack Execution Flow) through potential exploitation of configuration files or application binaries. Organizations running affected versions of Neon WebMail for Java face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to the exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and access control measures in web applications to prevent unauthorized file system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Neon WebMail application to version 5.08 or later, where the directory traversal issue has been resolved. Organizations should also implement input validation controls that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing them in file system operations, particularly by removing or encoding special characters such as .. sequences. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering out suspicious path traversal patterns in incoming requests. The implementation of proper access controls and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the damage that could occur even if such vulnerabilities are present. Regular security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. Additionally, organizations should implement proper logging and monitoring to detect suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.