CVE-2016-10074 in SwiftMailer
Summary
by MITRE
The mail transport (aka Swift_Transport_MailTransport) in Swift Mailer before 5.4.5 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 in the (1) From, (2) ReturnPath, or (3) Sender header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10074 represents a critical command injection flaw within Swift Mailer's mail transport implementation. This issue affects versions prior to 5.4.5 and specifically targets the Swift_Transport_MailTransport component that handles email delivery operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization when processing email addresses in critical headers including From, ReturnPath, and Sender fields. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious email addresses containing backslash double quote sequences that bypass normal parameter parsing mechanisms.
The technical exploitation occurs through improper shell command construction when Swift Mailer invokes the underlying mail command on Unix-like systems. When the mail transport processes an email address containing a backslash double quote sequence, the application fails to properly escape or quote parameters before passing them to the system mail command. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as additional command-line arguments or parameters, effectively allowing arbitrary command execution on the server hosting the vulnerable application.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-78 and CWE-88 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing weaknesses in OS command injection and improper neutralization of special elements used in argument lists. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through vulnerable mail handling components. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for any web application utilizing Swift Mailer for email functionality. Organizations running vulnerable versions face risks of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise through simple email injection attacks. The exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where email functionality is exposed to untrusted users. The vulnerability affects any application that relies on Swift Mailer's mail transport for sending emails, including content management systems, web applications, and enterprise email solutions.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of Swift Mailer to version 5.4.5 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameter escaping. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, email address format verification, and monitoring for unusual email delivery patterns. Network-level protections such as email gateway filtering and rate limiting can provide additional defense-in-depth. Regular security assessments of email handling components and comprehensive vulnerability scanning should be integrated into security operations to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other mail handling libraries and components.