CVE-2024-41958 in mailcow-dockerized
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2024
mailcow: dockerized is an open source groupware/email suite based on docker. A vulnerability has been discovered in the two-factor authentication (2FA) mechanism. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker to bypass the 2FA protection, enabling unauthorized access to other accounts that are otherwise secured with 2FA. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must first have access to an account within the system and possess the credentials of the target account that has 2FA enabled. By leveraging these credentials, the attacker can circumvent the 2FA process and gain access to the protected account. This issue has been addressed in the `2024-07` release. All users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-41958 affects mailcow dockerized, an open source groupware and email suite deployed through docker containerization. This system serves as a comprehensive email infrastructure solution that includes webmail, mail server components, and administrative interfaces. The vulnerability specifically targets the two-factor authentication mechanism that is designed to provide an additional security layer beyond traditional username and password authentication. The flaw exists within the authentication flow logic and represents a critical weakness in the security architecture that undermines the fundamental purpose of multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability has been classified as a privilege escalation issue that allows authenticated attackers to bypass security controls that should otherwise protect user accounts.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how the system handles authentication state transitions when processing two-factor authentication requests. An attacker must first obtain valid credentials for any account within the system to initiate exploitation, which creates a prerequisite that aligns with common attack patterns where initial access is gained through credential compromise or phishing. Once authenticated, the vulnerability allows the attacker to manipulate the authentication flow in such a way that they can bypass the two-factor authentication requirements for other accounts. This cross-account privilege escalation occurs due to improper session management and authentication state validation within the mailcow authentication subsystem. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to reuse their authenticated session context to access protected resources without proper verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security model of the email infrastructure. Organizations relying on mailcow dockerized for their email services face significant risk of account takeover and potential data breaches, as attackers can gain access to multiple user accounts with a single successful exploitation. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the security controls that administrators implement to protect sensitive email communications and personal data stored within the system. This weakness particularly impacts organizations that depend on two-factor authentication as their primary defense mechanism against unauthorized access to email accounts. The consequences include potential exposure of confidential communications, unauthorized access to email archives, and possible use of compromised accounts for further attacks within the organization's network.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues and represents a specific instance of weak session management. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves credential harvesting and the exploitation of valid accounts to gain unauthorized access. The security implications extend to potential data exfiltration and lateral movement within the organization's email infrastructure. Organizations should immediately implement the patch released in the 2024-07 version of mailcow dockerized to remediate the vulnerability. The lack of known workarounds means that the only effective solution is to upgrade to the patched version. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their mailcow installations to verify proper patching and monitor for any suspicious authentication activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper session management and authentication flow validation in security-critical applications.