CVE-2008-0464 in Aconon Mail Enterprise Sql
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in archiv.cgi in absofort aconon Mail 2007 Enterprise SQL 11.7.0 and Mail 2004 Enterprise SQL 11.5.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the template parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0464 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the archiv.cgi component of absofort aconon Mail 2007 Enterprise SQL 11.7.0 and Mail 2004 Enterprise SQL 11.5.1 email server software. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw exists in how the application processes the template parameter within the archiv.cgi script, failing to properly validate or sanitize user input before using it to construct file paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the template parameter by injecting directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation. When an attacker submits a malicious template parameter containing sequences such as ../../etc/passwd or similar path traversal patterns, the vulnerable application fails to properly sanitize this input, resulting in the system attempting to access files outside of the intended directory structure. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into file system operations without adequate validation or canonicalization of the path components. The vulnerability specifically affects the archiv.cgi script which is designed to handle email archiving functions, making it a particularly dangerous flaw in email server infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the affected system. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to read sensitive system files, configuration data, email archives, and potentially user credentials stored within the email server environment. The vulnerability affects enterprise email systems, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these platforms for business-critical communications. Attackers could leverage this flaw to extract confidential information, compromise user accounts, or gain insights into the internal structure of the email infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous for systems exposed to the internet. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers could use this to gather information about the target environment before launching more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0464 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software versions, as absofort has likely released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures within the archiv.cgi script to ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being used in file system operations. The implementation of a whitelist approach for template parameters, where only predefined, safe template names are accepted, provides an effective defense against this type of attack. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing proper access controls and file permissions to limit the damage that could result from successful exploitation. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the affected email server components, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in secure software development practices, aligning with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within their infrastructure.