CVE-2007-5290 in MailBee WebMail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in MailBee WebMail Pro 3.4 and earlier; and possibly MailBee WebMail Pro ASP before 3.4.64, WebMail Lite ASP before 4.0.11, and WebMail Lite PHP before 4.0.22; allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) mode parameter to login.php and the (2) mode2 parameter to default.asp in an advanced_login mode.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5290 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting multiple email webmail applications including MailBee WebMail Pro and WebMail Lite variants. This vulnerability resides in the authentication handling mechanisms of these webmail platforms, specifically within the login process where user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and returned to the client browser. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the mode parameter in login.php and the mode2 parameter in default.asp, particularly when operating in advanced_login mode, allowing malicious code injection directly into the web application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard XSS attack pattern where unvalidated user input flows directly into the application's output without proper encoding or sanitization. When the webmail application processes these parameters without adequate security controls, it creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be executed within the context of authenticated users' browsers. This occurs because the application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that would normally prevent malicious scripts from being interpreted as legitimate content. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the failure to properly sanitize user input, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within email systems. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify user permissions, access sensitive email communications, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects not just the core MailBee WebMail Pro but also extends to related WebMail Lite applications, indicating a widespread flaw in the product line's input handling architecture. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on these platforms, as a successful attack could compromise entire email domains or user bases, particularly when users are authenticated within the application's security context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5290 require immediate attention through patching and input validation implementation. Organizations should upgrade to versions 3.4.64 or later for MailBee WebMail Pro, 4.0.11 or later for WebMail Lite ASP, and 4.0.22 or later for WebMail Lite PHP. Beyond patching, defensive measures should include implementing proper input validation at all entry points, particularly in authentication flows, and deploying output encoding mechanisms that prevent script execution in response content. Security controls should enforce strict parameter validation for mode and mode2 parameters, implement Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and establish regular security testing of web application inputs to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and the necessity of following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks.