CVE-2007-5046 in Merak Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Webmail interface for IceWarp Merak Mail Server before 9.0.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript via a javascript: URI in an attribute of an element in an email message body, as demonstrated by the onload attribute in a BODY element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2019
The CVE-2007-5046 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the IceWarp Merak Mail Server webmail interface prior to version 9.0.0. This vulnerability specifically targets the server's handling of email message bodies and demonstrates how improperly sanitized user input can lead to severe security implications. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. The vulnerability exploits the server's insufficient validation of javascript: URIs embedded within email content, particularly when these URIs are placed within HTML attributes such as the onload attribute of BODY elements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Merak Mail Server processes email messages containing malicious JavaScript code within HTML attributes. The server fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided content, allowing attackers to embed javascript: URIs directly within email messages. When a victim views the malicious email through the webmail interface, the browser executes the embedded JavaScript code as if it were part of the legitimate web application. This particular exploitation vector leverages the onload attribute within BODY elements, which is a common technique for executing JavaScript code when HTML documents load, making it particularly effective for persistent attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft emails that automatically redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or inject additional malicious code into the user's browser environment. The vulnerability affects all users who access their email through the webmail interface, making it a significant threat to organizations relying on Merak Mail Server for email services. Given that the flaw exists in the server-side processing of email content, it represents a server-side vulnerability that can affect multiple users simultaneously, potentially leading to widespread compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Merak Mail Server version 9.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address this vulnerability. Network administrators should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block javascript: URIs within email content, though this approach provides only partial protection. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to code execution vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 for initial access through spearphishing with malicious attachments or links, and T1059 for command and control through the execution of malicious scripts. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and browser-based protections to provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities.