CVE-2012-4940 in Axigen Free Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the View Log Files component in Axigen Free Mail Server allow remote attackers to read or delete arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in (1) the fileName parameter in a download action to source/loggin/page_log_dwn_file.hsp, or the fileName parameter in (2) an edit action or (3) a delete action to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The CVE-2012-4940 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Axigen Free Mail Server's View Log Files component, exposing the system to remote exploitation by unauthorized attackers. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of file paths in three distinct operations within the server's web interface, creating multiple attack vectors that could be leveraged to access sensitive system information or cause data destruction.
The technical flaw resides in the insufficient validation of user-supplied input parameters within the web application's file handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation in the fileName parameter. The vulnerability manifests in three separate attack vectors: the download action at source/loggin/page_log_dwn_file.hsp, the edit action, and the delete action. Each of these operations fails to properly sanitize or validate the fileName parameter, allowing attackers to manipulate the file path resolution logic and access files outside the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables remote attackers to perform unauthorized file operations including reading arbitrary files from the server's file system and deleting critical system files. This could potentially lead to information disclosure of sensitive configuration files, log data, or even system binaries that could be used to further compromise the server. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to leverage the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the mail server is exposed to external traffic.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of path traversal attacks that align with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The attack vectors correspond to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 and T1566 tactics, representing file and directory discovery as well as initial access methods. Organizations using Axigen Free Mail Server should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, proper path sanitization, and access controls to prevent unauthorized file operations. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper access controls in web applications to prevent directory traversal attacks that could lead to complete system compromise.