CVE-2018-0685 in Denbun
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Denbun POP version V3.3P R4.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via HTTP requests for mail search.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0685 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Denbun POP email system version V3.3P R4.0 and earlier implementations. This security weakness specifically affects the mail search functionality of the system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted HTTP requests. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input during search operations, where insufficient validation and sanitization of input parameters allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit search queries containing malicious SQL payloads through HTTP requests. The application fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate the intended query execution flow. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the principle of privilege escalation through authenticated access, as attackers must first establish valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability effectively. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in input validation and query construction.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Denbun POP systems, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive data from the underlying database, modify or delete email records, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise and service disruption. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access confidential communications, user credentials, and system configurations stored within the database. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system and can be carried out from any location with network connectivity and valid authentication credentials.
Security mitigations for CVE-2018-0685 should prioritize immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches or updates to the Denbun POP system. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before database interaction. Additionally, access controls should be enforced to limit the scope of potential damage, and network segmentation should be implemented to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol tunneling and represents a common vector for database exploitation in email systems. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components, while implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protective layers against such attacks.