CVE-2008-5769 in MailServer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Kerio MailServer before 6.6.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) folder parameter to mailCompose.php or the (2) daytime parameter to calendarEdit.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The CVE-2008-5769 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Kerio MailServer versions prior to 6.6.2, fundamentally compromising web application security through two distinct attack vectors. This vulnerability resides in the web-based administrative interface of the mail server software, specifically targeting the mailCompose.php and calendarEdit.php scripts that handle user input processing. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions, creating a significant threat to organizational email security infrastructure. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security. The attack vectors exploit the improper sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, specifically the folder parameter in mailCompose.php and the daytime parameter in calendarEdit.php, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML content that executes in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within network environments. When an authenticated user accesses the compromised web interface, the injected scripts can execute with the privileges of that user, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or privilege escalation within the mail server environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can leverage it without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where email servers serve as critical communication infrastructure. This weakness directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the malicious scripts can be used to execute commands or manipulate server state. The attack surfaces through the web-based management interface, which is typically accessible to authorized users but can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive email data and calendar information.
Organizations running affected Kerio MailServer versions face significant security risks including unauthorized data access, potential email spoofing, and the possibility of establishing persistent access points within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in calendar functionality particularly exposes users to attacks targeting scheduling information and personal data. System administrators should immediately implement mitigation strategies including patching to version 6.6.2 or later, which addresses the input validation issues in both affected scripts. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input sanitization at the application level, deploying web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious script injection patterns, and establishing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten categories and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing that web applications must rigorously validate all user inputs to prevent injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications within their infrastructure.