CVE-2007-1578 in MERCUR IMAPD
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer signedness errors in the NTLM implementation in Atrium MERCUR IMAPD (mcrimap4.exe) 5.00.14, with SP4, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long NTLMSSP argument that triggers a stack-based buffer overflow.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1578 represents a critical security flaw within the Atrium MERCUR IMAPD server implementation that affects version 5.00.14 with SP4. This issue resides in the NTLM authentication mechanism, specifically within the mcrimap4.exe process that handles IMAP protocol communications. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during the processing of NTLMSSP (NT LAN Manager Security Support Provider) arguments, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can manipulate memory allocation and buffer boundaries.
The technical root cause involves multiple integer signedness errors that occur when processing NTLM authentication tokens. These errors manifest when the system attempts to convert unsigned integer values to signed integers during the parsing of NTLMSSP arguments, leading to unexpected behavior in memory management operations. The flaw specifically targets stack-based buffer overflow conditions where attacker-provided data exceeds expected buffer boundaries. When a sufficiently long NTLMSSP argument is presented to the vulnerable IMAP server, the signedness conversion results in a negative integer value being used as a buffer size parameter, which then gets interpreted as a large positive value due to integer overflow characteristics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on the affected system. This represents a severe privilege escalation vector that could allow unauthorized users to compromise the entire IMAP server infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on the Atrium MERCUR IMAPD for email services, potentially exposing sensitive email data and enabling further network infiltration. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure where the vulnerable server resides.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that IMAP servers typically handle sensitive corporate communications and are often accessible from external networks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying vendor patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable IMAP service, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper input validation and integer handling in authentication protocols, particularly when dealing with legacy security mechanisms like NTLM that may contain inherent design flaws in their implementation.