CVE-2007-1474 in Application Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Argument injection vulnerability in the cleanup cron script in Horde Project Horde and IMP before Horde Application Framework 3.1.4 allows local users to delete arbitrary files and possibly gain privileges via multiple space-delimited pathnames.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The CVE-2007-1474 vulnerability represents a critical argument injection flaw within the cleanup cron script of the Horde Project Horde and IMP email client applications. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to Horde Application Framework 3.1.4 and specifically targets the way the system handles command-line arguments during file cleanup operations. The flaw manifests when the cleanup script processes multiple space-delimited pathnames, allowing malicious local users to inject additional arguments that can manipulate the script's behavior beyond its intended scope.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the cron script's argument parsing mechanism. When the script receives multiple pathnames separated by spaces, it fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before passing them to underlying system commands. This creates an environment where an attacker can append additional commands or parameters that will be executed with the privileges of the cron job, typically running as root or with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-77 principle of command injection, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into command execution without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides local attackers with the capability to delete arbitrary files from the system and potentially escalate their privileges. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could manipulate the cleanup script to target critical system files, configuration files, or even other users' data, leading to data loss, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The privilege escalation aspect becomes particularly dangerous when the cron job executes with elevated permissions, as the attacker could potentially gain root access or administrative control over the affected system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1474 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Horde Application Framework versions to 3.1.4 or later, where the argument handling has been properly addressed. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and sanitization within any custom cron scripts that process user-provided data, ensuring that all arguments are properly escaped or quoted before being passed to system commands. Additional protective measures include restricting write permissions to cron scripts, implementing proper file access controls, and conducting regular security audits of automated system processes. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation techniques where cron jobs run with minimal necessary permissions rather than elevated privileges, reducing the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The remediation approach should follow security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-128 for secure coding and system hardening to prevent similar injection vulnerabilities in future implementations.