CVE-2015-5382 in RoundCube
Summary
by MITRE
program/steps/addressbook/photo.inc in Roundcube Webmail before 1.0.6 and 1.1.x before 1.1.2 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via the _alt parameter when uploading a vCard.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5382 affects Roundcube Webmail versions prior to 1.0.6 and 1.1.x prior to 1.1.2, representing a critical security flaw in the address book photo upload functionality. This issue resides within the program/steps/addressbook/photo.inc component where the application fails to properly validate user input during vCard file processing. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the _alt parameter is utilized during vCard uploads, creating an opportunity for authenticated attackers to exploit a path traversal mechanism.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves improper input sanitization where the application accepts the _alt parameter without adequate validation or filtering. When an authenticated user uploads a vCard file, the system processes the _alt parameter which typically contains alternative file paths or references. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to specify arbitrary file paths, potentially allowing them to read files outside the intended upload directory. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that falls under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts the security posture of webmail systems relying on Roundcube versions affected by this issue. The requirement for authentication means that attackers must first compromise a valid user account, but once achieved, they can access sensitive files on the server that should normally be restricted. The implications extend beyond simple file reading, as attackers may potentially access configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system information that could lead to further exploitation. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics, as attackers can use this capability to gather intelligence about the target system.
The impact of this vulnerability extends to organizations that rely heavily on webmail services for business communications, as successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or system compromise. Organizations using older versions of Roundcube without proper patching are particularly vulnerable, as the flaw exists in the core address book functionality that many users interact with regularly. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security. Security teams should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing additional monitoring for unusual file access patterns in webmail environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5382 include immediate deployment of the patched versions of Roundcube Webmail, specifically versions 1.0.6 and 1.1.2 or later. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as input validation for all file upload parameters, restricting file upload directories to prevent path traversal attacks, and implementing proper access controls for user sessions. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns, particularly those involving the address book photo upload functionality. Security configurations should enforce strict file type validation and implement proper sanitization of all user-provided input parameters. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other web applications and ensure comprehensive protection against similar path traversal vulnerabilities.