CVE-2013-6831 in Mail-SeCure 5099SK
Summary
by MITRE
PineApp Mail-SeCure 3.70 and earlier on 5099SK and earlier platforms has a sudoers file that does not properly restrict user specifications, which allows local users to gain privileges via a sudo command that leverages access to the qmailq account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6831 affects PineApp Mail-SeCure versions 3.70 and earlier, specifically on 5099SK and earlier platforms. This issue resides within the sudoers file configuration which fails to properly restrict user specifications, creating a privilege escalation pathway for local attackers. The flaw specifically targets the qmailq account access, which serves as a critical entry point for malicious users seeking elevated system privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sudoers file configuration where user specifications are not adequately constrained. According to CWE-276, this represents a classic case of inadequate privilege management where the system fails to properly enforce access controls. The qmailq account, which typically operates with restricted privileges, becomes a vector for privilege escalation when combined with the flawed sudoers configuration. This misconfiguration allows local users to execute sudo commands that should otherwise be restricted, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to email security infrastructure deployments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as privilege escalation through valid accounts, where attackers leverage legitimate system accounts to gain elevated privileges. Local users who can access the qmailq account can exploit this weakness to execute commands with root-level privileges, potentially compromising the entire mail server infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could enable attackers to modify system configurations, access sensitive email data, or establish persistent access points within the organization's email ecosystem.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6831 require immediate attention to the sudoers file configuration and overall privilege management. Organizations should implement proper user specification restrictions within the sudoers file, ensuring that only authorized users can execute specific commands with elevated privileges. According to NIST SP 800-53 security controls, proper access control mechanisms must be enforced to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as regular privilege audits, monitoring of sudo command usage, and ensuring that accounts like qmailq have minimal necessary permissions. The most effective remediation involves updating to PineApp Mail-SeCure versions that address this specific sudoers configuration flaw, while also conducting comprehensive security assessments of all system accounts and their associated privileges to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the email infrastructure.