CVE-2007-1898 in Jetbox CMS
Summary
by MITRE
formmail.php in Jetbox CMS 2.1 allows remote attackers to send arbitrary e-mails (spam) via modified recipient, _SETTINGS[allowed_email_hosts][], and subject parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1898 resides within the formmail.php component of Jetbox CMS version 2.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to exploit the system for unauthorized email transmission. This vulnerability specifically targets the email form functionality that is commonly used for contact forms, feedback mechanisms, and other user communication features within web applications. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly verify or restrict user-supplied parameters before processing them for email delivery.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate three critical parameters within the email submission process: recipient address, _SETTINGS[allowed_email_hosts][] array, and subject line. Through careful manipulation of these fields, an attacker can bypass the intended email routing restrictions and send spam emails from the vulnerable server to arbitrary recipients. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the lack of proper parameter validation within the formmail.php script, which directly incorporates user-provided data into the email sending mechanism without adequate sanitization or access control checks. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and improper input validation as defined by CWE-20 and CWE-89 respectively, creating a pathway for attackers to abuse the legitimate email functionality for malicious purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple spam generation, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including phishing campaigns, spam bot networks, and potential abuse of the server's reputation within email systems. Organizations using Jetbox CMS 2.1 may experience their servers being blacklisted by major email providers due to the unauthorized email traffic generated through this vulnerability. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous as it allows anyone with access to the vulnerable web application to exploit this functionality. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1192 category for "Spearphishing Attachment" and T1566 for "Phishing" as attackers can use the compromised system to send malicious emails that appear legitimate.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of parameter validation and sanitization measures within the formmail.php script. The recommended approach includes implementing strict input validation for all email-related parameters, including the recipient address, email host restrictions, and subject line content. Organizations should also implement rate limiting and email destination validation to prevent abuse of the email functionality. The fix involves ensuring that user input is properly sanitized and that the system only accepts email addresses from predefined trusted domains or that proper authentication and authorization checks are implemented before allowing email transmission. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of email sending activities can help detect and respond to abuse attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper access control in web applications, particularly in features that interact with external systems like email servers. This issue highlights the need for comprehensive security testing and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar flaws in web applications that may be exploited for unauthorized communication or spam generation activities.