CVE-2008-1992 in Acidcat
Summary
by MITRE
Acidcat CMS 3.4.1 does not properly restrict access to (1) default_mail_aspemail.asp, (2) default_mail_cdosys.asp or (3) default_mail_jmail.asp, which allows remote attackers to bypass restrictions and relay email messages with modified From, FromName, and To fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1992 affects Acidcat CMS version 3.4.1 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security of email relay functionality within the content management system. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and improper authorization mechanisms that govern access to three specific email handling components: default_mail_aspemail.asp, default_mail_cdosys.asp, and default_mail_jmail.asp. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit these unprotected endpoints and manipulate email message headers including the From address, FromName field, and To address, potentially enabling various malicious activities such as spam relay, phishing campaigns, or email spoofing attacks.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the application's authorization controls, which should normally restrict access to email relay functions to authenticated administrators or authorized users only. The affected files appear to lack proper authentication checks or role-based access controls, allowing any remote attacker to submit email messages through the CMS's email relay mechanisms without proper authorization. This represents a classic example of insufficient access control as categorized under CWE-285, which deals with improper authorization in software systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts the email processing pipeline where the application accepts user input for email headers and forwards these messages through backend email servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to leverage the legitimate email infrastructure of the affected CMS to conduct malicious activities. An attacker could exploit this flaw to send spam emails through the compromised system, potentially damaging the organization's reputation and violating anti-spam regulations. The ability to modify From and FromName fields allows for sophisticated social engineering attacks where emails appear to originate from trusted sources within the organization. Additionally, the To field manipulation capability enables targeted phishing campaigns or mass email distribution that bypasses normal email filtering mechanisms since the messages appear to originate from a legitimate source within the network infrastructure.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1192, which covers "Spearphishing with Attachment" and related email-based attack vectors. The flaw creates an opportunity for attackers to establish persistent email relay capabilities that can be used for long-term campaign operations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting direct access to these vulnerable ASP files through web server configuration, implementing proper authentication mechanisms for email functions, and monitoring email relay activities for unusual patterns. Network-level protections such as email filtering rules and rate limiting for email operations can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments of third-party CMS components, as this issue affects a widely used content management system and demonstrates how seemingly minor access control oversights can create significant security risks for organizations relying on such platforms.
Organizations utilizing Acidcat CMS should prioritize patching or implementing workarounds for this vulnerability as it represents a clear pathway for attackers to establish unauthorized email relay capabilities. The flaw demonstrates how insecure coding practices in email handling components can create persistent security risks that may go undetected for extended periods, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and code reviews of all application components that handle sensitive operations such as email relay and message forwarding.