CVE-2012-1919 in AtMail Open
Summary
by MITRE
CRLF injection vulnerability in mime.php in @Mail WebMail Client in AtMail Open-Source before 1.05 allows remote attackers to conduct directory traversal attacks and read arbitrary files via a %0A sequence followed by a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
The CVE-2012-1919 vulnerability represents a critical CRLF injection flaw in the @Mail WebMail Client's mime.php component, affecting versions prior to 1.05. This vulnerability resides within the web mail client's file handling mechanism, specifically in how it processes file parameters containing newline sequences. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the application's file access routines through carefully crafted input sequences that exploit improper input validation and sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, allowing unauthorized access to the underlying file system through HTTP-based attacks. The specific exploitation technique involves injecting a carriage return line feed sequence followed by directory traversal components, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass normal file access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied input within the mime.php script, which processes email attachments and file operations. When the application receives a file parameter containing the %0A sequence followed by .. (dot dot) traversal components, it fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before processing. This allows the application to interpret the malicious input as legitimate file path navigation commands rather than as attack vectors. The vulnerability manifests as a classic directory traversal attack, where the application's file handling logic treats the injected CRLF sequences as legitimate command terminators, enabling attackers to manipulate file access paths. This flaw directly relates to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-77, which addresses command injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary file access commands through the web interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1919 is substantial, as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive files within the web server's file system. Attackers can potentially read configuration files, source code, database credentials, and other sensitive information stored on the server. The vulnerability enables directory traversal attacks that can expose not only user data but also system-level information that could facilitate further exploitation. This includes access to application configuration files, log files, and potentially system files that could reveal network architecture details or authentication credentials. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access or physical presence, making it particularly dangerous for web-based email services. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of data stored within the @Mail Open-Source environment, potentially leading to data breaches and unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1919 should focus on input validation and sanitization at multiple layers within the application architecture. The primary solution involves implementing strict validation of all file parameters, ensuring that CRLF sequences and directory traversal components are properly filtered or rejected. Organizations should upgrade to @Mail Open-Source version 1.05 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper access controls, restricting file system access permissions, and employing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation techniques as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the web mail system. System administrators should also implement monitoring and logging of file access operations to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline behavior for anomaly detection. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while effectively blocking the exploit vector.