CVE-2009-2636 in MailServer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Integration page in the WebMail component in Kerio MailServer 6.6.0, 6.6.1, 6.6.2, and 6.7.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an e-mail message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2019
The CVE-2009-2636 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WebMail component of Kerio MailServer versions 6.6.0 through 6.7.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the Integration page functionality and stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through crafted email messages that are processed by the vulnerable mail server. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting conditions where untrusted data is improperly integrated into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages the legitimate email communication channels of the system, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network monitoring approaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the WebMail component processes incoming email messages containing malicious script code within their content. When these messages are displayed on the Integration page, the improperly sanitized input gets rendered directly into the web page without appropriate HTML encoding or script sanitization. This creates an environment where attackers can embed malicious JavaScript or HTML code within email headers, body content, or attachments that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers who view these messages. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before displaying it in the web interface, creating a persistent XSS condition that can be exploited by sending specially crafted emails to targeted users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution and can enable sophisticated attack chains. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or harvest sensitive information from the webmail interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Kerio MailServer is used for business communication, as it can lead to data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to confidential email communications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 - Phishing and T1071.001 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it leverages email as the initial attack vector and exploits web application weaknesses. The persistence of this vulnerability across multiple versions of the software indicates a fundamental flaw in the input handling mechanisms that was not properly addressed in the security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2636 should focus on immediate patching of affected Kerio MailServer versions to the latest available security updates from the vendor. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied content before rendering it in web interfaces. Network administrators should consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious script content in email messages. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that webmail users have minimal necessary permissions and that the web application runs with restricted privileges. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious email patterns and anomalous web application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding phishing awareness and safe email practices remains crucial in preventing successful exploitation of this vulnerability, as social engineering often complements technical exploitation methods in such attacks.