CVE-2014-2078 in Open-Xchange
Summary
by MITRE
The backend in Open-Xchange (OX) AppSuite 7.4.2 before 7.4.2-rev9 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information about user email addresses in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging a failure in e-mail auto configuration for external accounts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2078 resides within the backend infrastructure of Open-Xchange AppSuite version 7.4.2 before 7.4.2-rev9, representing a significant security flaw that exposes user email address information to remote attackers. This weakness specifically manifests through the email auto-configuration mechanism for external accounts, which fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters during the configuration process. The vulnerability operates under opportunistic conditions, meaning that attackers can exploit it only when specific circumstances align, typically during the initial setup or configuration of external email accounts within the OX AppSuite environment. The flaw essentially allows unauthorized access to sensitive user data through a mechanism that should remain secure and private.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls within the email auto-configuration feature. When users attempt to configure external email accounts, the system should properly authenticate and authorize these requests while maintaining strict separation between user data and system configuration processes. However, the flawed implementation fails to adequately verify the legitimacy of configuration requests, allowing malicious actors to craft specific requests that bypass normal security boundaries. This represents a classic case of insufficient validation of input data, which falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-20, specifically dealing with "Improper Input Validation." The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the auto-configuration process to extract information about existing email addresses within the system, potentially enabling further attacks such as credential stuffing or targeted phishing campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence for planning more sophisticated attacks against users within the affected environment. The exposure of email addresses creates a foundation for social engineering operations, where attackers can use this information to craft convincing phishing emails or to identify valid targets for credential harvesting attempts. The opportunistic nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it during the initial account setup phase when users are most likely to be configuring their email connections. This timing makes the attack particularly effective as users may not be immediately aware of the security implications or may be less cautious during the setup process. The vulnerability also potentially enables enumeration attacks where attackers can systematically discover valid email addresses within the system, creating a comprehensive database of potential targets for future exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2078 should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms within the email auto-configuration process. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Open-Xchange AppSuite version 7.4.2-rev9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitoring around email configuration endpoints to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of proper authentication mechanisms for email auto-configuration requests is essential, ensuring that only legitimate users can perform these operations. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to isolate email configuration services from general user access points, reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques related to credential access and reconnaissance, as it enables adversaries to gather information about valid user accounts and system configuration parameters. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure configuration management as outlined in various security frameworks and standards, including those related to secure software development practices and information security management systems.