CVE-2007-1301 in Mailenable Professional
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the IMAP service in MailEnable Enterprise and Professional Editions 2.37 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a long argument to the APPEND command. NOTE: this is probably different than CVE-2006-6423.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1301 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the IMAP service of MailEnable Enterprise and Professional Editions version 2.37 and earlier. This security defect specifically manifests when processing the APPEND command, which is a standard IMAP operation used to append messages to mailboxes. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied arguments before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by authenticated remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the IMAP service component of MailEnable. When an authenticated user sends a specially crafted APPEND command with an argument exceeding the allocated buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations on the stack. This overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical control data, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents one of the most common and dangerous types of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires authentication, making it less accessible than unauthenticated exploits but still highly concerning given that legitimate users can potentially leverage this flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios. Remote authenticated attackers who can establish connections to the IMAP service can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the MailEnable service account, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors within the email infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on MailEnable for their email services, potentially exposing sensitive corporate communications and user data. Given that the service operates continuously and may be accessed by multiple users, the attack surface remains significant even with authentication requirements, as compromised accounts can be exploited by attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1301 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MailEnable installations to version 2.38 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of IMAP services to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface for authenticated exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring for unusual APPEND command usage patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected services or applications within their email infrastructure, as similar buffer overflow conditions may exist in other components. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure continued service availability and functionality.