CVE-2006-6336 in Worldmail Management Server
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Mail Management Server (MAILMA.exe) in Eudora WorldMail 3.1.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted request containing successive delimiters.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6336 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Mail Management Server component of Eudora WorldMail version 3.1.x. This flaw exists in the MAILMA.exe executable which serves as the core mail management service for the email client. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing network requests, specifically when handling crafted messages containing multiple consecutive delimiters. The heap overflow condition occurs because the application fails to properly bounds-check data received from remote sources before copying it into fixed-size heap buffers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a serious memory corruption issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates a pathway for remote attackers to gain complete control over the affected system. When a maliciously crafted request is sent to the MAILMA.exe service, the buffer overflow can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the mail server process. The specific nature of the attack vector involves sending a message containing successive delimiters that cause the application to allocate insufficient memory for the data, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system.
Security implications of CVE-2006-6336 are particularly severe given the nature of email server applications which typically run with elevated privileges and have network accessibility. The vulnerability affects a service that handles incoming mail requests, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring authentication. The heap corruption can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow through return address overwrite or function pointer corruption, depending on the target platform's memory layout and security mitigations in place. Organizations running Eudora WorldMail 3.1.x should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to the mail server, disabling unnecessary network services, and applying vendor patches if available. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in server-side applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ISO/IEC 27001 security standards. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate such issues before they can be exploited in the wild.