CVE-2007-6018 in Horde
Summary
by MITRE
IMP Webmail Client 4.1.5, Horde Application Framework 3.1.5, and Horde Groupware Webmail Edition 1.0.3 does not validate unspecified HTTP requests, which allows remote attackers to (1) delete arbitrary e-mail messages via a modified numeric ID or (2) "purge" deleted emails via a crafted email message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6018 affects multiple components within the Horde webmail ecosystem including IMP Webmail Client 4.1.5, Horde Application Framework 3.1.5, and Horde Groupware Webmail Edition 1.0.3. This represents a critical authorization and input validation flaw that undermines the security integrity of email management operations within these applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of HTTP requests, particularly those involving numeric identifiers and email message handling, creating exploitable pathways for unauthorized actions.
The technical flaw manifests through the absence of proper validation mechanisms for incoming HTTP requests that modify email data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that manipulate numeric identifiers associated with email messages. When the system processes these modified requests without adequate validation, it executes unauthorized operations such as message deletion based on altered numeric IDs. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to message purging functionality where attackers can craft specific email messages to trigger the deletion of already marked deleted emails, effectively bypassing normal email retention and cleanup procedures. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-284, addressing improper access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on these email systems, as it enables remote attackers to perform unauthorized message manipulation without requiring legitimate authentication credentials. An attacker could systematically delete targeted email communications, potentially compromising business continuity, legal compliance, and audit trails. The purging capability further amplifies the damage by allowing complete removal of deleted messages, effectively erasing evidence of communications and potentially violating data retention policies. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations with sensitive email data where message integrity and availability are paramount, creating risks for financial services, healthcare providers, and government agencies that depend on secure email infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms across all HTTP request processing within the affected applications. Organizations should immediately apply available security patches or updates from the Horde project to address the validation gaps. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious request patterns. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and session management, along with regular security audits of webmail applications, will help identify and remediate similar validation vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation and data manipulation technique, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures including proper request validation, access control enforcement, and continuous monitoring of email system activities.