CVE-2011-3355 in evolution-data-server
Summary
by MITRE
evolution-data-server3 3.0.3 through 3.2.1 used insecure (non-SSL) connection when attempting to store sent email messages into the Sent folder, when the Sent folder was located on the remote server. An attacker could use this flaw to obtain login credentials of the victim.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3355 affects the evolution-data-server3 component within specific version ranges from 3.0.3 through 3.2.1. This issue represents a significant security flaw that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of email communication by exploiting insecure network connections during routine email operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users configure their email client to store sent messages in folders located on remote servers, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user authentication credentials.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the software's failure to establish secure ssl tls connections when communicating with remote mail servers during the process of storing sent emails in designated folders. This insecure connection behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates a man in the middle attack vector where network traffic containing sensitive authentication information can be intercepted and decoded by malicious actors. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the communication protocols used by the email client to synchronize data with remote server repositories, making it particularly dangerous for users who rely on remote email storage solutions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to credential theft attacks that can lead to complete account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive email communications. Attackers can leverage this flaw to capture login credentials during the routine process of storing sent emails, which occurs frequently and without user awareness or explicit consent. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it exploits normal user behavior and system operations rather than requiring unusual user interaction or specialized attack techniques, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard security monitoring approaches.
The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network connections, and CWE-521, which covers weak password requirements in security contexts. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1110.003 for credential access through password guessing and T1046 for network service scanning that could be used to identify vulnerable systems. The security implications extend beyond simple credential theft to potentially enable broader access to corporate email systems, especially in enterprise environments where email servers serve as critical communication infrastructure and potential entry points for further attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of evolution-data-server3, enforcing mandatory ssl connections for all remote mail server communications, and implementing network monitoring to detect unusual authentication traffic patterns. Additional protective measures should include configuring email clients to use secure connection protocols exclusively, implementing multi factor authentication for email accounts, and conducting regular security assessments of email infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in related components. The incident highlights the critical importance of secure communication protocols in email systems and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when applications fail to properly implement encryption for sensitive data transmission.