CVE-2023-48974 in WebMail
Summary
by MITRE • 02/08/2024
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in Axigen WebMail v.10.5.7 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via a crafted script to the serverName_input parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
This cross site scripting vulnerability exists within Axigen WebMail version 10.5.7 and earlier implementations, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability specifically targets the serverName_input parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious input that can be exploited to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's parameter handling processes, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious code that persists in the application's server-side processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious script and submits it through the serverName_input parameter, which is then processed by the web application without proper sanitization. This allows the malicious payload to be executed in the context of other users' sessions, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks where attackers can gain elevated access rights within the webmail system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross site scripting as the improper handling of input data that is directly reflected back to users without proper encoding or validation. The attack vector operates through web-based exploitation techniques that leverage the application's trust in user-provided input, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative privileges can be compromised.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive email communications, user credentials, and system configuration data. When combined with privilege escalation capabilities, attackers can manipulate the webmail environment to gain unauthorized access to other users' mailboxes, modify system settings, or even establish persistent backdoors within the organization's email infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Axigen WebMail for their email services, particularly those with less sophisticated security monitoring and patch management processes. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1078 for valid accounts, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access using legitimate user credentials.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those that are reflected in web responses. The most effective immediate solution involves patching the application to version 10.5.8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent the injection of malicious scripts through the serverName_input parameter. Additional protective measures include implementing proper content security policies, regular security scanning of web applications, and monitoring for suspicious parameter submissions. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched environment to ensure that the vulnerability has been fully addressed without introducing new issues, while also implementing regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure.