CVE-2018-7475 in IceWarp Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability for webdav/ticket/ URIs in IceWarp Mail Server 12.0.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The CVE-2018-7475 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the IceWarp Mail Server version 12.0.3, specifically affecting webdav/ticket/ URIs. This vulnerability resides in the server's web interface implementation and demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector that can be exploited by remote unauthenticated attackers. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the ticket URI parameters, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and executed within the context of a victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The vulnerability specifically impacts the WebDAV functionality of the mail server, which provides web-based access to email and calendar resources, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where such services are commonly exposed to external networks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious URLs containing script payloads within the ticket URI parameters that are then processed by the IceWarp server. When legitimate users navigate to these crafted URLs or when the server itself processes these parameters in its web interface, the injected scripts execute within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly wide since WebDAV endpoints are often accessible from external networks and may be used by various client applications including email clients, calendar applications, and mobile devices. This vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Credential Access - Credentials in Files, as the XSS could potentially lead to the compromise of user sessions and access to sensitive email data. The flaw represents a failure in input validation and output encoding practices, where the server does not properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in the web interface, creating an environment where malicious code can persist and execute.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7475 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to email accounts and potentially escalate privileges within the mail server environment. An attacker could craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even inject malicious code that could be used to compromise the entire mail server infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where IceWarp servers often serve as central email gateways with access to sensitive corporate communications. The risk is amplified because the WebDAV functionality is typically exposed to external networks and may be used by numerous clients, increasing the attack surface. Organizations using this version of IceWarp are particularly vulnerable as the flaw exists in the core web interface components that handle user authentication and session management. The potential for data exfiltration, unauthorized access to email communications, and disruption of email services makes this vulnerability a critical concern for security teams managing email infrastructure. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise or lateral movement within the network. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and access controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.