CVE-2018-0682 in Denbun
Summary
by MITRE
Denbun by NEOJAPAN Inc. (Denbun POP version V3.3P R4.0 and earlier, Denbun IMAP version V3.3I R4.0 and earlier) does not properly manage sessions, which allows remote attackers to read/send mail or change the configuration via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0682 affects Denbun by NEOJAPAN Inc. software including both Denbun POP version V3.3P R4.0 and earlier, and Denbun IMAP version V3.3I R4.0 and earlier. This security flaw represents a critical session management weakness that fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of email communications. The vulnerability stems from improper session handling mechanisms within the software's authentication and authorization frameworks, creating exploitable conditions that allow unauthorized access to email services.
The technical implementation flaw manifests through inadequate session token management and authentication state handling within the email client applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to establish unauthorized sessions that persist beyond normal operational boundaries, enabling them to perform unauthorized actions including reading sensitive email content, sending messages on behalf of legitimate users, and modifying system configuration parameters. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for email systems that handle confidential communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete compromise of email system integrity and confidentiality. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to conduct persistent surveillance operations, intercept sensitive communications, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the email infrastructure. The unspecified vectors of exploitation suggest multiple attack pathways that could include session hijacking, credential theft, or manipulation of session tokens through various network-based attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to significant data breaches when email systems contain sensitive corporate or personal information.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-305 authentication flaws and ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through various attack vectors. The vulnerability aligns with common web application security issues related to session management and authentication controls that are frequently exploited in email and messaging systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including software updates to the latest versions of Denbun software, enhanced session monitoring, and implementation of additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack surface, while regular security audits should verify proper session management implementation across all email infrastructure components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper session lifecycle management and demonstrates how inadequate authentication controls can lead to complete system compromise.