CVE-2007-0579 in Groupware
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the calendar component in Horde Groupware Webmail Edition before 1.0, and Groupware before 1.0, allows remote attackers to include certain files via unspecified vectors. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0579 resides within the calendar component of Horde Groupware Webmail Edition and Groupware versions prior to 1.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute unauthorized file inclusion attacks. This unspecified vulnerability manifests in the calendar component's improper handling of user-supplied input, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion mechanisms. The affected systems process calendar data and user inputs without adequate validation, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary files through unspecified vectors that remain partially documented in third-party reports.
The technical flaw fundamentally stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the calendar module's file handling routines, creating a path for remote code execution through file inclusion vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets processed by the calendar component, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected server. This vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-94, which addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and CWE-22, "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory," indicating that the calendar component fails to properly restrict file access paths and validate user input before processing. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could occur through various input points including calendar event parameters, file upload mechanisms, or URL parameter manipulation.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using affected Horde Groupware versions, as remote attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to the server infrastructure, execute malicious code, and establish persistent access to the system. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise to include complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face heightened exposure to advanced persistent threats and automated exploitation attempts, particularly given the widespread adoption of Horde Groupware in enterprise email and collaboration environments. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0579 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest stable versions of Horde Groupware, which contain fixed implementations of the calendar component with proper input validation and file inclusion restrictions. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of calendar services to untrusted networks, while also deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious file inclusion patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Horde ecosystem. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for calendar service accounts and establishing comprehensive monitoring of file access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include thorough code reviews of calendar and file handling components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.