CVE-2019-7212 in Mailing List
Summary
by MITRE
SmarterTools SmarterMail 16.x before build 6985 has hardcoded secret keys. An unauthenticated attacker could access other users? emails and file attachments. It was also possible to interact with mailing lists.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7212 affects SmarterTools SmarterMail version 16.x prior to build 6985, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive system components through the use of hardcoded secret keys. This issue falls under the category of weak cryptographic key management as defined by CWE-326, where the system employs static, predictable authentication credentials that remain unchanged across deployments. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to email accounts and associated file attachments, fundamentally compromising the confidentiality and integrity of user communications within the email infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inclusion of hardcoded cryptographic keys within the application codebase, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in NIST SP 800-57 and OWASP Top Ten. These hardcoded secrets serve as authentication mechanisms that bypass normal user authentication procedures, enabling attackers to establish valid sessions without proper credentials. The attack vector specifically targets the authentication subsystem where these keys are embedded, allowing malicious actors to perform operations typically restricted to legitimate users. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple email access to include interaction with mailing lists, suggesting that the hardcoded keys may also grant access to group communication features and associated administrative functions.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, affecting both individual user privacy and organizational email security posture. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive communications, potentially including personally identifiable information, financial data, or proprietary business information stored in email accounts. The ability to interact with mailing lists introduces additional risks, as attackers could modify group configurations, send malicious messages to multiple recipients, or disrupt organizational communication channels. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which describes valid accounts used for unauthorized access, and T1566.001, involving spearphishing with links, as the hardcoded keys may be discovered through various reconnaissance methods and exploited to gain persistent access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through automated tools, making it particularly dangerous in environments where email systems serve as primary communication channels. Organizations using affected versions of SmarterMail face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized access to user data. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple user accounts and mailing list functions amplifies its impact, as a single compromised key can provide access to entire email domains or organizational groups.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through the installation of the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to build 6985 and subsequent versions that address the hardcoded key issue. Security teams must conduct comprehensive audits of all cryptographic keys and authentication mechanisms within their email infrastructure to identify and replace any remaining hardcoded credentials. Additionally, implementing proper key rotation policies, employing dynamic credential generation, and utilizing secure configuration management practices will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future deployments. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that authentication mechanisms are properly secured and that no other hardcoded secrets exist within the application codebase.