CVE-2010-4711 in GroupWise
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the IMAP server component in GroupWise Internet Agent (GWIA) in Novell GroupWise before 8.02HP allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large parameter in a LIST command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The CVE-2010-4711 vulnerability represents a critical double free memory corruption flaw within the IMAP server implementation of Novell GroupWise Internet Agent version 8.01 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the GroupWise Internet Agent component that handles IMAP protocol communications, specifically when processing LIST commands from remote clients. The flaw manifests when the server receives a malformed LIST command containing an excessively large parameter value, triggering improper memory management operations that lead to memory corruption conditions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-415 category of double free conditions, where the same memory block is freed twice, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate heap memory structures. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can result in arbitrary code execution when the corrupted memory is subsequently allocated and used by the application. The vulnerability affects the core IMAP server functionality and represents a fundamental flaw in the input validation and memory management mechanisms of the GroupWise Internet Agent.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted LIST commands that contain oversized parameters, which causes the IMAP server to allocate memory for processing the command and then subsequently free it twice during the parsing and handling process. When the server processes these malformed parameters, the memory management routines fail to properly track the allocated memory blocks, leading to a situation where the same memory address is returned to the heap twice. This double free condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the heap layout and potentially control the execution flow of the application. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vector because the LIST command can be sent over the network without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where GroupWise servers are accessible to unauthenticated users. The attack can be executed through standard IMAP client connections, exploiting the protocol implementation weaknesses in the GroupWise server software.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4711 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain arbitrary code execution privileges on the GroupWise server, potentially allowing them to install backdoors, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on GroupWise email services, particularly those with internet-facing IMAP servers that are not properly patched or protected by network segmentation. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no authentication to trigger, making it particularly attractive to attackers targeting email infrastructure. Organizations using GroupWise Internet Agent in production environments are at risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, as the compromised server could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration activities. This vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements for email security, as it represents a significant gap in the security posture of GroupWise implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4711 focus on immediate patching of the GroupWise Internet Agent software to version 8.02HP or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes to prevent the double free condition. Network administrators should implement proper access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to IMAP ports, limiting exposure to unauthorized network access. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious LIST command patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary IMAP services and implementing network segmentation to isolate GroupWise servers from critical internal systems. Security monitoring should include log analysis for unusual IMAP command patterns and memory allocation anomalies. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of GroupWise implementations are recommended to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with T1210 exploitation techniques related to remote code execution through memory corruption vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive patch management and network security controls to prevent unauthorized access to GroupWise email infrastructure.