CVE-2018-8041 in Camel Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Camel's Mail 2.20.0 through 2.20.3, 2.21.0 through 2.21.1 and 2.22.0 is vulnerable to path traversal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
Apache Camel mail component versions 2.20.0 through 2.20.3, 2.21.0 through 2.21.1, and 2.22.0 contain a critical path traversal vulnerability that allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server through carefully crafted email attachments. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the mail processing logic where the component fails to properly sanitize file paths when handling email attachments, particularly those containing maliciously crafted filenames. The flaw enables attackers to traverse directory structures and potentially read sensitive files such as configuration files, credentials, or system binaries that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the mail component processes incoming email messages containing attachments with specially crafted filenames that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\\. These sequences, when not properly sanitized, allow the component to resolve file paths outside of the intended processing directory, effectively bypassing access controls and potentially exposing the underlying file system to unauthorized file access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which represents a well-known and widely exploited class of vulnerabilities in file system operations. This weakness directly enables attackers to perform unauthorized file system operations and can lead to information disclosure, system compromise, or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8041 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gain access to sensitive system resources and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract configuration files containing database credentials, application secrets, or other sensitive information that could be used for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using Apache Camel mail components in production environments, particularly those that process untrusted email traffic or handle sensitive communications through email protocols. This makes the vulnerability especially dangerous in enterprise environments where email systems serve as critical communication channels and often contain confidential business data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Apache Camel versions to the latest releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as email filtering and content inspection to prevent malicious attachments from reaching vulnerable systems. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing least-privilege access controls for mail processing components and regularly audit file system access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" as attackers often leverage such vulnerabilities in conjunction with phishing campaigns to gain initial access to systems. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file system access patterns and attempts to traverse directory structures, as these behaviors can indicate exploitation attempts against path traversal vulnerabilities.