CVE-2012-1918 in AtMail Open
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in (1) compose.php and (2) libs/Atmail/SendMsg.php in @Mail WebMail Client in AtMail Open-Source before 1.05 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the Attachment[] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The CVE-2012-1918 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting the @Mail WebMail Client version 1.04 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in two primary files: compose.php and libs/Atmail/SendMsg.php within the AtMail Open-Source email client software. The flaw allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the Attachment[] parameter through directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other unauthorized resources that should remain protected from external access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation in the email client's attachment handling mechanism. When the application processes the Attachment[] parameter without adequate sanitization or validation, it fails to prevent the use of directory traversal sequences that would normally be rejected by the operating system. Attackers can construct malicious requests that include sequences like ../../../etc/passwd or similar path traversal patterns to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should be restricted. This flaw particularly affects web-based email clients where user input directly influences file system operations, creating an attack surface that can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1918 is significant, as it allows attackers to potentially access sensitive information including system configuration files, user credentials stored in configuration files, application source code, and other confidential data that may be stored on the server. Depending on the server configuration and file permissions, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further escalation attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or shared hosting scenarios where attackers might access other users' data or system resources. This type of vulnerability can also facilitate information gathering for more sophisticated attacks, as attackers can obtain system information, application version details, and potential weaknesses in the system architecture. The attack vector is relatively simple to exploit, making it a preferred target for automated scanning tools and less sophisticated attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1918 should include immediate patching of the AtMail Open-Source client to version 1.05 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that reject or filter out directory traversal sequences from user-supplied input. The implementation of secure coding practices including proper parameter validation, using allowlists for file operations, and implementing proper access controls can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network-level mitigations such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of protection by detecting and blocking suspicious directory traversal patterns in network traffic. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or attempts to access system files through web interfaces, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to security best practices and maintaining up-to-date software versions as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and credential access through path traversal methods.