CVE-2018-1000072 in RoundCube
Summary
by MITRE
iRedMail version prior to commit f04b8ef contains a Insecure Permissions vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail that can result in Exfiltrate a user's password protected secret GPG key file and other important configuration files.. This attack appear to be exploitable via network connectivity. This vulnerability appears to have been fixed in Beta: 0.9.8-BETA1, Stable: 0.9.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1000072 represents a critical insecure permissions flaw within the Roundcube Webmail component of iRedMail versions prior to commit f04b8ef. This security weakness stems from improper file permission settings that allow unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files and cryptographic materials. The vulnerability specifically affects the webmail interface where users store their GPG key files and other confidential data, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on iRedMail for email services. The flaw manifests when system files are accessible through network connections without proper authentication mechanisms, enabling attackers to exploit the misconfigured permissions and extract valuable information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of file access controls within the Roundcube webmail application. When iRedMail is configured with default or insecure permissions, certain directories and files containing user credentials, GPG keys, and configuration data become accessible to unauthorized network users. This occurs because the application fails to enforce proper access controls on sensitive files, allowing any user with network connectivity to potentially download or read these protected materials. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web server's file system permissions, where configuration files and cryptographic keys are stored with overly permissive access rights that should typically be restricted to specific user groups or system processes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to email security infrastructure and user privacy. Attackers can exploit the insecure permissions to exfiltrate users' password-protected GPG key files, which contain encryption keys used for secure email communication and data protection. Additionally, the vulnerability allows access to other important configuration files that may contain database credentials, system passwords, or other sensitive information required for maintaining the email service. The network-based exploitability means that an attacker does not require physical access to the server, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations with publicly accessible email services. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of email communications and can lead to widespread data breaches affecting multiple users within the organization.
The remediation for this vulnerability involves updating iRedMail to versions 0.9.7 (stable) or 0.9.8-BETA1, which contain the necessary permission fixes implemented after commit f04b8ef. Organizations should immediately verify their current iRedMail installations and apply the appropriate updates to address this security gap. System administrators should also conduct thorough permission audits of their Roundcube webmail directories to ensure that sensitive files are properly protected with restrictive access controls. The fix typically involves implementing proper file system permissions where configuration files and cryptographic materials are stored with restricted access rights, ensuring that only authorized processes and users can access these sensitive resources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which describes improper permission settings that allow access to critical system resources, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through web applications.
Organizations should implement additional security measures beyond the immediate patching of this vulnerability, including regular security assessments of their email infrastructure and monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and highlights the need for regular security audits of file system permissions. System administrators should establish automated monitoring solutions to detect and alert on any unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect sensitive data stored within webmail systems. The security community should consider this vulnerability when evaluating email server security configurations and implementing proper access control policies for web-based applications that handle sensitive user data.