CVE-2013-4987 in Mail-SeCure
Summary
by MITRE
PineApp Mail-SeCure before 3.70 allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges by leveraging console access and providing shell metacharacters in a "system ping" command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4987 affects PineApp Mail-SeCure versions prior to 3.70 and represents a significant privilege escalation flaw that exploits command injection mechanisms within the system's administrative console. This vulnerability specifically targets the "system ping" command functionality, where authenticated users can manipulate the input parameters to execute arbitrary shell commands with elevated privileges. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the console interface, allowing maliciously crafted input to bypass security controls and potentially execute unauthorized system operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a command injection attack vector that leverages the console's administrative interface. When an authenticated user accesses the system ping functionality, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into shell commands. This oversight creates an environment where shell metacharacters can be interpreted by the underlying operating system, enabling attackers to chain commands and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the administrative account. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, making it accessible to users with legitimate administrative credentials who may have been compromised or misused.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and potentially gain full control over the Mail-SeCure appliance. The compromise of administrative credentials combined with this command injection flaw can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and disruption of email services. The attack surface is relatively narrow since it requires console access and authentication, but the potential consequences are severe given that the administrative interface typically has broad system access rights. Organizations using affected versions may experience unauthorized access to email traffic, modification of security policies, and potential use as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing command injection weaknesses that allow arbitrary code execution. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as Command and Scripting Interpreter and privilege escalation tactics, where adversaries can leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious commands. The attack chain typically involves initial authentication, followed by command injection through the ping interface, and ultimately privilege escalation to system-level access. Organizations should implement immediate patching measures to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open in unpatched systems. Additional mitigations include restricting administrative console access through network segmentation, implementing strict input validation controls, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns in system logs.