CVE-2006-5902 in GMail Drive
Summary
by MITRE
viksoe GMail Drive shell extension allows remote attackers to perform virtual filesystem actions via e-mail messages with certain subject lines, as demonstrated by (1) a GMAILFS: [13;a;1] message with a new filename and a file attachment, which injects a new file into the filesystem; (2) a GMAILFS: [13;a;1] message with an existing filename and a file attachment, which overwrites existing file content; and (3) a GMAILFS: [14;a;1] message, which creates a folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5902 affects viksoe GMail Drive, a shell extension that integrates Google Mail functionality with the Windows file system through a virtual filesystem interface. This shell extension creates a seamless integration between email and file operations by allowing users to access email attachments as if they were local files, thereby bridging the gap between email communication and file system navigation. The implementation relies on parsing specific subject line patterns to determine file system operations, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by remote adversaries without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The technical flaw resides in the insufficient input validation and sanitization of email subject lines within the GMail Drive shell extension. The vulnerability specifically targets the parsing mechanism that interprets subject lines beginning with GMAILFS: followed by structured data in the format [13;a;1] or [14;a;1]. When these patterns are encountered, the extension automatically executes corresponding file system operations without proper verification of the message source or content legitimacy. The first pattern [13;a;1] triggers file creation operations where the 'a' parameter represents a new filename and the attached file content is injected into the virtual filesystem. The second pattern [13;a;1] with an existing filename performs overwrites, while the third pattern [14;a;1] creates directories, all without any authentication or authorization checks.
This vulnerability presents significant operational impact as it enables remote code execution and file system manipulation through simple email messages. Attackers can leverage this flaw to inject malicious files into the victim's virtual filesystem, overwrite legitimate files with harmful content, or create unauthorized directory structures that could disrupt normal operations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond receiving an email message, making it a prime candidate for phishing campaigns or automated exploitation. The vulnerability essentially transforms the email inbox into a command and control channel for file system operations, bypassing traditional security controls that protect against local file system modifications.
The attack patterns demonstrate a clear adherence to the principle of least privilege violation, where the shell extension operates with elevated privileges due to its integration with the Windows file system while failing to properly validate the source and integrity of the commands it receives. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," and represents a classic example of command injection in a file system context. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1074.001 'Data Staged: Local Data Staging' as it enables remote attackers to stage and execute malicious file operations. The vulnerability also relates to T1566.001 'Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment' as it exploits email attachments to achieve the attack objective. Organizations should implement network-based email filtering to block messages containing GMAILFS: subject patterns, disable shell extensions that process email content, and maintain up-to-date security patches for the GMail Drive software. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all inputs from untrusted sources, particularly in components that operate with elevated privileges and interact with critical system resources.