CVE-2008-5619 in RoundCube
Summary
by MITRE
html2text.php in Chuggnutt HTML to Text Converter, as used in RoundCube Webmail (roundcubemail) 0.2-1.alpha and 0.2-3.beta, Mahara, and AtMail Open 1.03, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted input that is processed by the preg_replace function with the eval switch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5619 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the html2text.php component of the Chuggnutt HTML to Text Converter library. This vulnerability affects multiple web applications including RoundCube Webmail versions 0.2-1.alpha and 0.2-3.beta, Mahara, and AtMail Open 1.03, making it a widespread concern across various email and web platform implementations. The flaw resides in how the application processes user input through the preg_replace function with the eval modifier, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the html2text.php script. When the application receives crafted HTML content that gets processed by preg_replace with the /e modifier, it inadvertently executes the malicious code contained within the input. This occurs because the eval switch in preg_replace evaluates the replacement string as PHP code, allowing attackers to inject PHP commands that are then executed within the web server context. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application, specifically targeting the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems. Once exploited, adversaries can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Organizations running affected versions of RoundCube, Mahara, or AtMail Open face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5619 should focus on immediate patching of affected applications to the latest stable versions that contain proper input validation and sanitization. System administrators should implement proper input filtering and validation mechanisms to prevent malicious payloads from reaching the preg_replace function with eval modifiers. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include disabling unnecessary PHP functions and implementing proper code review procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other instances of unsafe preg_replace usage within their codebase and ensure compliance with secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards.