CVE-2010-5335 in Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
IceWarp Webclient before 10.2.1 has a directory traversal vulnerability. This can result in loss of confidential data of IceWarp Mailserver and the operating system. Input passed via a certain parameter (script to basic/minimizer/index.php) is not properly sanitised and can therefore be exploited to browse the partition where IceWarp is installed (or the whole system) and read arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2020
The CVE-2010-5335 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in IceWarp Webclient versions prior to 10.2.1, constituting a serious security weakness that directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of email server environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based interface component of IceWarp Mailserver, which serves as the primary user access point for email services and administrative functions. The flaw exists within the handling of user-supplied input parameters, particularly those processed through the basic/minimizer/index.php script, creating an exploitable path traversal condition that allows unauthorized access to system resources beyond the intended application boundaries. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in server environments where sensitive data resides, as they can potentially expose not only application-specific information but also underlying operating system files and configurations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that includes directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in the targeted parameter. When the web application processes this unsanitized input, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the user-supplied data before using it to construct file paths or access system resources. This failure allows the attacker to manipulate the application's file access behavior and navigate to arbitrary locations within the file system where IceWarp is installed. The impact extends beyond just the application directory, potentially enabling access to the entire operating system partition, including configuration files, user data, and system binaries that contain sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read confidential data such as email messages, user credentials, server configurations, and other sensitive files that should remain protected from unauthorized access. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's input validation and access control mechanisms, creating a direct pathway for information disclosure attacks that align with ATT&CK technique T1005, which focuses on data from local system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations relying on IceWarp Mailserver for their email infrastructure. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of email server data, including access to user email accounts, personal information, and potentially sensitive business communications. The vulnerability's ability to traverse the entire file system means that attackers can access not only application-specific data but also system-level information that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network. Organizations may experience significant data loss, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence about the target environment, potentially identifying other systems or services that may be vulnerable to additional attacks. From a security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application development, as the flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers of varying skill levels to achieve significant information disclosure objectives.