CVE-2016-1142 in acmailer
Summary
by MITRE
Seeds acmailer before 3.8.21 and 3.9.x before 3.9.15 Beta allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1142 affects the Seeds acmailer software, specifically versions prior to 3.8.21 and 3.9.x versions before 3.9.15 Beta. This represents a critical remote command execution flaw that enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the email mailing system, creating a pathway for malicious command injection attacks. The affected software serves as an email delivery system that processes user inputs for email composition and delivery, making it a prime target for exploitation. Attackers who have gained legitimate authentication credentials can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges and gain full control over the underlying operating system. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied data that flows through the email processing pipeline, where insufficient sanitization allows malicious payloads to be interpreted as system commands rather than benign input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-provided parameters within the email composition and delivery functions. When legitimate users submit email content or configuration parameters through the acmailer interface, the system fails to adequately validate or sanitize these inputs before processing them. This allows attackers to inject malicious command sequences that get executed by the underlying operating system shell. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of command injection and privilege escalation, as the authenticated access requirement means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials before exploiting the flaw. The attack surface is particularly concerning because email systems often run with elevated privileges to facilitate message delivery and system integration, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1142 extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. An attacker with access to the acmailer system can execute commands with the privileges of the email service account, which may have elevated permissions depending on system configuration. This could enable attackers to install backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive data stored on the server, or even pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Seeds acmailer for email distribution, potentially compromising email communications, user data, and system integrity. Organizations may experience service disruption, data breaches, and compliance violations if the vulnerability is exploited successfully. The long-term implications include potential lateral movement within networks, as email servers often serve as critical infrastructure components that may have access to other systems and databases. Recovery from such an attack typically requires complete system reinstallation and credential rotation, making prevention through timely patching essential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1142 focus primarily on immediate patch deployment and implementation of additional security controls. Organizations should prioritize updating to Seeds acmailer versions 3.8.21 or 3.9.15 Beta, which contain the necessary fixes for the command injection vulnerability. Beyond patching, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to email servers, and strict access controls should be enforced to minimize the attack surface. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enhanced throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual command execution patterns, and regular security audits should verify proper configuration of email systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly for applications handling user-supplied data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against command injection attacks. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar security flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The remediation process requires careful planning to avoid service disruption while ensuring complete protection against the identified vulnerability.