CVE-2016-10034 in Zend Framework
Summary
by MITRE
The setFrom function in the Sendmail adapter in the zend-mail component before 2.4.11, 2.5.x, 2.6.x, and 2.7.x before 2.7.2, and Zend Framework before 2.4.11 might allow remote attackers to pass extra parameters to the mail command and consequently execute arbitrary code via a \" (backslash double quote) in a crafted e-mail address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10034 represents a critical command injection flaw within the zend-mail component of the Zend Framework ecosystem. This security weakness exists in the setFrom function of the Sendmail adapter, which is responsible for handling email address formatting and command execution. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the framework including 2.4.x before 2.4.11, 2.5.x, 2.6.x, and 2.7.x before 2.7.2, making it a widespread concern across various deployment environments. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and parameter handling when processing email addresses that contain specific character sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of email address formatting through the use of backslash double quote characters within the email address field. When a malicious actor crafts an email address containing a backslash followed by a double quote, the vulnerable code fails to properly escape or sanitize this input before passing it to the underlying mail command execution layer. This improper handling allows the attacker to inject additional parameters into the mail command, effectively bypassing normal input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as "Command Injection" which specifically addresses situations where untrusted data is incorporated into command execution without proper sanitization, making it a direct violation of secure coding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target server with the privileges of the mail command execution process. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond sending a specially crafted email, making it suitable for automated exploitation. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish a foothold in networks, deploy malware, or conduct further reconnaissance activities. The attack surface is broad as any application using the vulnerable zend-mail component for sending emails becomes a potential target.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to upgrade to the patched versions of the Zend Framework. Organizations should prioritize updating their zend-mail components to versions 2.4.11, 2.5.x, 2.6.x, and 2.7.2 or later. Additionally, network administrators should implement proper input validation at multiple layers including application-level filtering of email addresses and monitoring for suspicious email patterns. The principle of least privilege should be enforced when configuring mail services to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing email gateway filtering rules to detect and block emails containing potentially malicious character sequences. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, representing the attack vectors and techniques that would be employed in exploiting this specific flaw. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure all instances of the vulnerable framework are identified and patched, as the attack surface extends beyond direct email functionality to encompass any system that relies on the affected zend-mail component for email processing.