CVE-2015-2971 in acmailer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Seeds acmailer before 3.8.18 and 3.9.x before 3.9.12 Beta allows remote authenticated users to delete arbitrary files via a crafted string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2017
The CVE-2015-2971 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Seeds acmailer email delivery system, affecting versions prior to 3.8.18 and 3.9.x before 3.9.12 Beta. This vulnerability specifically targets the file deletion functionality of the application, allowing authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary file deletion operations through carefully crafted input strings. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input that is processed during file handling operations, creating a path traversal condition that bypasses normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize and validate file paths before executing deletion operations. When authenticated users submit malicious input strings containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the system processes these inputs without adequate validation, allowing attackers to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exists at the input validation layer where the application fails to implement proper sanitization mechanisms before processing file operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Seeds acmailer for email delivery services. An authenticated attacker with access to the system can leverage this flaw to delete critical system files, configuration files, or even user data stored on the server. The impact extends beyond simple file deletion, as attackers could potentially compromise system integrity by removing essential components required for proper application operation. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that handle file operations, making it a serious concern for environments where acmailer is used for automated email processing and system notifications.
The attack vector requires an authenticated user account, which means that the vulnerability cannot be exploited by anonymous users. However, this limitation does not reduce the severity of the issue, as it can be exploited by any user with legitimate access credentials. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious input that includes directory traversal sequences, which are then processed by the vulnerable application to delete files outside of the intended scope. This scenario creates potential for both accidental and intentional damage, as attackers could inadvertently cause system instability or deliberately target critical system components.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched versions 3.8.18 and 3.9.12 Beta, which contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters out directory traversal sequences and enforces proper path normalization before any file operations are executed. Security measures should also include limiting file operation permissions, implementing proper access controls, and monitoring for unusual file deletion patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that applications have minimal necessary permissions to prevent escalation of privileges through file deletion operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, as the exploitation involves manipulating system commands through crafted input strings that bypass normal validation mechanisms.