CVE-2011-1491 in Roundcube
Summary
by MITRE
The login form in Roundcube Webmail before 0.5.1 does not properly handle a correctly authenticated but unintended login attempt, which makes it easier for remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by arranging for a victim to login to the attacker s account and then compose an e-mail message, related to a "login CSRF" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1491 represents a critical security flaw in Roundcube Webmail versions prior to 0.5.1 that stems from improper handling of authenticated login sessions. This issue creates a dangerous condition where an attacker can exploit a specific scenario involving legitimate user authentication to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability specifically targets the login form's processing mechanism, which fails to adequately validate the context and intent of login attempts, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the authentication flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through a login CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) attack vector that exploits the webmail application's insufficient session management and authentication validation processes. When a legitimate user authenticates to the system, the application does not properly verify that the login attempt originates from an expected and authorized source. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious requests that can redirect users to attacker-controlled accounts while maintaining the appearance of legitimate authentication. The flaw operates at the application layer where session tokens and authentication contexts are not sufficiently validated against expected patterns and user behavior norms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Roundcube Webmail for email services, as it enables attackers to potentially access confidential email communications, personal information, and sensitive business data. The attack requires an authenticated user to be tricked into performing actions that appear legitimate, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may be less security-aware. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable further exploitation through email-based attacks, credential harvesting, or social engineering campaigns that leverage the compromised user context.
The security implications of CVE-2011-1491 align with CWE-352, which categorizes Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering attacks and T1531 for credential access through manipulation of authentication processes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Roundcube Webmail version 0.5.1 or later, implementing proper session validation mechanisms, and establishing user education programs to recognize suspicious authentication prompts. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict origin validation for authentication requests, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in webmail and authentication systems. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of robust session management and the need for comprehensive authentication validation in web applications.