CVE-2012-4730 in Best Practical
Summary
by MITRE
Request Tracker (RT) 3.8.x before 3.8.15 and 4.0.x before 4.0.8 allows remote authenticated users with ModifySelf or AdminUser privileges to inject arbitrary email headers and conduct phishing attacks or obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2021
Request Tracker version 3.8.x before 3.8.15 and 4.0.x before 4.0.8 contains a critical security vulnerability that enables authenticated users with ModifySelf or AdminUser privileges to inject arbitrary email headers. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-1107 category, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements in email headers. The flaw exists in the email processing functionality where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into email header fields. Attackers with these specific privileges can manipulate email headers to include malicious content such as spoofed sender addresses, additional recipients, or custom header fields that can be used to bypass security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to conduct sophisticated phishing attacks by forging email headers to appear as if they originate from legitimate sources within the organization. This capability extends beyond simple header injection to enable man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can intercept and manipulate email communications. The vulnerability represents a serious breach in email security controls and can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or to compromise user trust in the email system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate user privileges, making the malicious activity appear authentic to email servers and end users.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" and T1078.004 which addresses "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts." The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal privileges compared to other attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not properly monitor email header modifications. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all email-related fields, particularly those that are user-modifiable. The recommended mitigation involves applying the vendor patches released for versions 3.8.15 and 4.0.8, which address the header injection flaw through proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual email header patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized personnel have ModifySelf or AdminUser privileges.