CVE-2024-34471 in Mailinspector
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2024
An issue was discovered in HSC Mailinspector 5.2.17-3. A Path Traversal vulnerability (resulting in file deletion) exists in the mliRealtimeEmails.php file. The filename parameter in the export HTML functionality does not properly validate the file location, allowing an attacker to read and delete arbitrary files on the server. This was observed when the mliRealtimeEmails.php file itself was read and subsequently deleted, resulting in a 404 error for the file and disruption of email information loading.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-34471 represents a critical path traversal flaw within HSC Mailinspector version 5.2.17-3 that exposes the system to arbitrary file deletion attacks. This weakness exists specifically within the mliRealtimeEmails.php component and stems from inadequate input validation in the export HTML functionality. The vulnerability manifests when the filename parameter is processed without proper sanitization or validation of the file location, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate the system's file access mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic path traversal pattern where attacker-controlled input directly influences file system operations. When the export HTML functionality processes the filename parameter, it fails to validate or sanitize the input against expected file paths, enabling attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse the file system directory structure. This allows the attacker to not only read arbitrary files but also delete them, as demonstrated when the mliRealtimeEmails.php file itself was successfully accessed and removed from the system. The deletion of this core component resulted in a cascading failure where the system returned 404 errors and disrupted email information loading capabilities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant disruption to email monitoring services and system availability. The deletion of the mliRealtimeEmails.php file effectively removes a critical component responsible for real-time email processing, leading to complete service disruption. The attack vector demonstrates how a single unvalidated parameter can compromise entire system functionalities, as the deletion of this file renders the email monitoring system inoperable. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and follows ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious file operations. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to include system integrity compromise and service denial, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for email security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-34471 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the affected application. Organizations must ensure that all file path parameters undergo strict validation to prevent directory traversal attacks, including implementing whitelisting approaches for acceptable file names and paths. The fix should involve comprehensive parameter validation that rejects any input containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, while also implementing proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the scope of file operations. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent similar issues in web applications.