CVE-2017-12844 in Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the admin panel in IceWarp Mail Server 10.4.4 allows remote authenticated domain administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted user name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2019
The CVE-2017-12844 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the IceWarp Mail Server administration interface, specifically affecting version 10.4.4. This vulnerability resides in the admin panel where domain administrators can manage user accounts and system configurations. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can craft malicious usernames containing script code that gets executed in the context of other authenticated users who view the compromised user list or profile information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it only requires authentication as a domain administrator, which is often a lower privilege level than full system administrator access, making it accessible to a broader range of potential attackers within the organization's security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or encode user input when displaying administrative user data in web interfaces. When domain administrators view user lists or manage accounts through the web-based admin panel, the system directly incorporates user-supplied names into HTML output without appropriate sanitization measures. This creates a classic XSS attack vector where malicious script code embedded within usernames can be executed in the browser context of other administrators who encounter these compromised entries. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The attack requires minimal privileges since any authenticated domain administrator can manipulate user data, making this a particularly concerning issue for organizations that grant administrative access to multiple domain administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or display manipulation. An attacker with domain administrator privileges can leverage this XSS flaw to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the browser context of other administrators. This could lead to complete system compromise if the compromised administrator has elevated privileges within the IceWarp environment. The vulnerability also enables social engineering attacks where malicious actors can craft usernames that appear legitimate while simultaneously executing malicious scripts. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with malicious attachments or links, and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreters. The attack chain typically involves the attacker creating a malicious username, waiting for another administrator to view the user list, and then executing the embedded script code against the victim's browser session.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12844 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the IceWarp administration interface. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution within the browser. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that domain administrator accounts have the minimum required privileges. Regular security auditing of web applications and input validation mechanisms should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges are granted, and serves as a reminder of the necessity for comprehensive security testing and vulnerability management programs.