CVE-2007-4345 in IMail Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IMail Client 9.22, as shipped with IPSwitch IMail Server 2006.22, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long boundary parameter in a multipart MIME e-mail message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4345 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the IMail Client software component that forms part of the IPSwitch IMail Server 2006.22 suite. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the client-side email processing functionality where the application fails to properly validate the length of boundary parameters within multipart MIME email messages. The flaw exists in the way the IMail Client handles email content parsing, particularly when encountering malformed or excessively long boundary strings that define the separation points between different parts of a multipart message. This issue is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through email delivery, making it a prime target for attack vectors that leverage email-based exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted email message contains a multipart MIME structure with an oversized boundary parameter that exceeds the allocated buffer space within the IMail Client application. When the client attempts to parse this malformed message, the boundary parameter handling code fails to enforce proper length limitations, causing the buffer to overflow and potentially corrupt adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can be manipulated by attackers to overwrite critical program execution pointers, function return addresses, or other control data structures. The overflow typically occurs in the application's email parsing routines that process MIME boundaries, which are standard elements used to separate different content sections within email messages. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the IMail Client processes email messages automatically without requiring user interaction, making it possible for attackers to trigger the exploit simply by sending a specially crafted email.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4345 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass significant security compromise potential for affected systems. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the IMail Client process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on the target system. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors within the email server environment. The vulnerability affects organizations using IPSwitch IMail Server 2006.22 and its associated IMail Client components, creating a potential attack surface that could be leveraged by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to email infrastructure. The impact is particularly severe because email servers often contain sensitive organizational data, user credentials, and business communications that could be accessed through exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4345 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability has been addressed through official updates from IPSwitch. Organizations should implement email filtering mechanisms that can detect and block malformed MIME messages containing oversized boundary parameters, though this approach may not be foolproof against all variants of the attack. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary email client functionality and implementing strict email content validation policies. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving initial access through email and privilege escalation through code execution, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing comprehensive threat hunting and incident response procedures. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust email security measures to protect against remote code execution vulnerabilities in email client applications.