CVE-2015-0880 in AL-Mail32
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in CREAR AL-Mail32 before 1.13d allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename of an attachment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0880 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the CREAR AL-Mail32 email client software. This issue affects versions prior to 1.13d and stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms when processing email attachments. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the software encounters a maliciously crafted filename that exceeds the allocated buffer size during attachment handling operations. The flaw resides in the software's failure to properly bounds-check filename lengths before copying them into fixed-size memory buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. When a remote attacker crafts an email with an excessively long filename in an attachment, the software's parsing routine attempts to store this data into a predetermined memory buffer without sufficient size verification. This allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The attack vector operates entirely over network communication without requiring any local privileges or user interaction beyond receiving the malicious email.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass complete system compromise potential. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow can gain unauthorized access to the target system, potentially escalating privileges and establishing persistent access. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that adversaries can target users without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where email remains a primary attack surface. The flaw affects the software's core functionality and represents a fundamental security weakness in input validation that could be exploited for various malicious purposes including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and lateral movement within network infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0880 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 1.13d or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement email filtering mechanisms that can identify and quarantine suspicious attachments with unusually long filenames, providing an additional layer of defense beyond the software patch. Network administrators should consider implementing email security appliances that can detect and block malformed email content before it reaches end-user systems. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1190 suggests that this could be part of a broader phishing campaign where attackers leverage email-based exploits to gain initial access to target networks. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other email client software and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to address such critical security flaws promptly.