CVE-2011-4540 in AtMail Open
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in AtMail Open (aka AtMail Open-Source edition) 1.04 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the func parameter to (1) ldap.php or (2) search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The CVE-2011-4540 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in AtMail Open Source edition version 1.04, a web-based email management system. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through specific parameter manipulation, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this email platform. The flaw specifically affects two key files within the application's architecture: ldap.php and search.php, which are fundamental components for directory services and search functionality respectively.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the AtMail Open application's parameter processing mechanism. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the func parameter in HTTP requests directed to the vulnerable endpoints. When the application processes this unvalidated input without proper sanitization, it inadvertently executes malicious script code within the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the application fails to properly escape or encode special characters in user-provided data before rendering it in web responses, creating a classic XSS attack vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4540 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in the browsers of authenticated users. This capability allows threat actors to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the organization's email infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the email system, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of email communications. Given that email systems often contain sensitive organizational data, the exploitation of this flaw could lead to significant data breaches and lateral movement within network environments.
Organizations using AtMail Open 1.04 should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or upgrading to a patched version of the software. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's codebase can prevent similar issues in the future. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and security monitoring tools should be deployed to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1566 for Phishing and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter techniques, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat posed by this vulnerability.