CVE-2013-4674 in Encryption Management Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Web Email Protection component in Symantec Encryption Management Server (formerly Symantec PGP Universal Server) before 3.3.0 MP2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted encrypted e-mail attachment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2013-4674 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Symantec's Encryption Management Server web email protection component. This issue affects versions prior to 3.3.0 MP2 and specifically targets the handling of encrypted email attachments within the web interface. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms when processing email content that has been encrypted using Symantec's encryption protocols. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious encrypted email attachments that contain embedded script code, which then executes within the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected email through the web interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of email attachment data during the decryption and rendering process within the web email client. When the Symantec Encryption Management Server processes encrypted attachments, it fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied content before displaying it in the web browser interface. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed without proper context validation, allowing attackers to leverage the authenticated session to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary commands within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically affects the Web Email Protection component, which is designed to provide secure email handling capabilities but inadvertently introduces a vector for client-side attacks through its processing of encrypted content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access patterns within the targeted organization's email environment. Since the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, it can be exploited by compromised accounts or insider threats, making detection more challenging. The attack surface includes all users who access the web email interface and have the ability to receive encrypted emails with malicious attachments. This creates potential for widespread impact across an organization, as the attacker can leverage the established trust relationship within the email system to perform reconnaissance, data exfiltration, or further compromise of user sessions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of insecure data handling in web interfaces where user input is not properly sanitized.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4674 should prioritize immediate deployment of Symantec's official security patches and updates to version 3.3.0 MP2 or later releases. Organizations should implement additional defensive measures including network segmentation of email services, enhanced monitoring of email attachment processing activities, and regular security assessments of web-based email systems. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection patterns, as well as establishing strict email hygiene policies that limit the acceptance of encrypted attachments from untrusted sources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which covers social engineering techniques involving malicious attachments, making it critical for organizations to implement comprehensive email security controls that address both the technical vulnerability and potential exploitation patterns. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other email processing components and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place throughout the email infrastructure.