CVE-2007-4211 in Dovecot
Summary
by MITRE
The ACL plugin in Dovecot before 1.0.3 allows remote authenticated users with the insert right to save certain flags via a (1) COPY or (2) APPEND command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4211 affects the Access Control List plugin within Dovecot email server software versions prior to 1.0.3. This represents a significant security flaw in the mail server's permission handling mechanisms that could allow malicious actors to escalate their privileges within the email system. The issue specifically relates to how Dovecot processes certain flag operations during message copying and appending processes, creating an avenue for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical flaw exists in the ACL plugin's implementation where authenticated users who possess the insert permission right can exploit the COPY and APPEND commands to manipulate specific message flags. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of flag modifications during these operations, allowing users to potentially set flags that should be restricted to administrators or system-level processes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of authenticated users who already have some level of access to the email system, making it a privilege escalation rather than a mere access control issue.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple flag manipulation as it enables authenticated users to potentially alter message metadata in ways that could affect email routing, filtering, or access controls. Attackers could leverage this flaw to bypass certain email security measures, manipulate message delivery, or create false indicators of message status that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects any organization using Dovecot versions before 1.0.3 and could be particularly damaging in environments where email security and access control are critical components of the overall security posture.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Dovecot version 1.0.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as this represents the official patch provided by the software vendor. Additionally, administrators should review existing ACL configurations to ensure that users with insert permissions are not granted unnecessary privileges that could be exploited through this mechanism. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual flag modification patterns during COPY and APPEND operations, and regular security audits of email server configurations should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses.