CVE-2023-48380 in Mail SQR Expert
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2023
Softnext Mail SQR Expert is an email management platform, it has insufficient filtering for a special character within a spcific function. A remote attacker authenticated as a localhost can exploit this vulnerability to perform command injection attacks, to execute arbitrary system command, manipulate system or disrupt service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48380 affects Softnext Mail SQR Expert, an email management platform that processes email communications and related system functions. This platform serves as a critical component in email infrastructure management, handling various email processing tasks and system interactions that require secure command execution capabilities. The vulnerability resides within a specific function that fails to properly sanitize input containing special characters, creating a pathway for malicious command injection.
The technical flaw manifests in insufficient input validation and filtering mechanisms within the platform's command execution function. When the system processes user-supplied data containing special characters, it fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before using them in system commands. This weakness allows an attacker who has gained localhost authentication privileges to inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the affected service. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of special characters within a designated function, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges for exploitation. The flaw directly maps to CWE-77 and CWE-94, which classify command injection vulnerabilities and improper input validation respectively.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows a remote attacker with localhost authentication to execute arbitrary system commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attacker can manipulate system files, execute unauthorized processes, gain elevated privileges, and disrupt email services. This vulnerability undermines the platform's security model by enabling privilege escalation from a localhost authenticated user to full system control. The disruption potential includes service availability issues, data manipulation, and unauthorized access to sensitive email communications. The attack surface is limited to localhost authentication but remains critical as it can be exploited by attackers who have already gained local access to the system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the platform's codebase. The primary solution involves adding comprehensive filtering for special characters and implementing proper command escaping techniques before any user input is processed in system commands. Organizations should also enforce strict access controls and network segmentation to limit localhost access privileges. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege configurations and regular security audits can help identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include code reviews focused on input handling and command execution functions, along with implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command injection patterns. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework for command injection techniques.