CVE-2007-2915 in EasyMail Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in RM EasyMail Plus allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the title field in an email.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2017
The CVE-2007-2915 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in RM EasyMail Plus email software, which operates as a web-based email management system. This vulnerability resides within the email title field processing mechanism, where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web interfaces. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected email messages. This particular vulnerability affects web applications that handle email content through user interfaces, where email metadata including subject lines are displayed without adequate input validation or output encoding measures.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the RM EasyMail Plus web application. When users compose emails with titles containing malicious payloads, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. The vulnerability specifically targets the title field processing logic, which typically displays email subject lines in web-based email clients. Attackers can craft malicious email titles containing script tags or other HTML elements that execute when the email interface renders the subject line. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side injection flaws. The attack vector operates through web-based email interfaces where users interact with email content through browser-based applications rather than direct protocol interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2915 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to complete account compromise or unauthorized access to email content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in email systems where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive corporate communications. This weakness can be leveraged for phishing attacks where users are redirected to malicious sites that appear legitimate, or for credential theft through keylogging scripts that execute in the browser context. The attack requires no special privileges beyond the ability to send emails to affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in environments where email is used as a primary communication channel.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2915 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the email processing pipeline. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly email metadata including subject lines, undergo proper HTML escaping before being rendered in web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular input sanitization routines should be deployed to filter out potentially malicious characters. Security patches and updates to the RM EasyMail Plus software should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability represents a well-known flaw that has been documented in multiple security advisories. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection patterns in email content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten security recommendations, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also implement regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web-based email systems and applications.