CVE-2014-1203 in Mail System
Summary
by MITRE
The get_login_ip_config_file function in Eyou Mail System before 3.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the domain parameter to admin/domain/ip_login_set/d_ip_login_get.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1203 resides within the Eyou Mail System version 3.5 and earlier, specifically in the get_login_ip_config_file function located in the admin/domain/ip_login_set/d_ip_login_get.php component. This flaw represents a critical command injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands through the manipulation of the domain parameter. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape special shell metacharacters passed to the system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious domain parameter values containing shell operators such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get processed by the underlying system shell, thereby allowing unauthorized command execution on the affected server. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to potentially full system compromise, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, modify configurations, or even establish persistent backdoors within the mail system infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands, and represents a classic example of command injection that falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for mail server environments where such systems often handle sensitive organizational data. The flaw occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into system commands without proper sanitization, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as shell commands. When the domain parameter is processed through the get_login_ip_config_file function, the system fails to implement proper input validation that would prevent the injection of shell metacharacters, allowing attackers to chain together multiple commands or execute complex operations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that mail systems typically run with elevated privileges, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with root-level access to the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability demonstrates poor defense-in-depth practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms in web applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where mail systems serve as critical infrastructure components that often contain sensitive data and provide access to internal networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1203 should prioritize immediate patching of the Eyou Mail System to version 3.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the vulnerable administrative endpoints, particularly by restricting access to the ip_login_set directory through firewall rules or web application firewalls. Input validation measures should be strengthened to sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly those that are directly used in system command execution contexts. The implementation of parameterized queries or command execution methods that do not rely on string concatenation with user input can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in the domain parameter usage, including the presence of shell metacharacters or unusual command sequences. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the mail system or related applications. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of application architecture. Organizations should consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar command injection patterns in their codebases, and establish comprehensive incident response procedures for handling such critical vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while maintaining the system's intended operational capabilities.