CVE-2025-8264 in z-push
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2025
Versions of the package z-push/z-push-dev before 2.7.6 are vulnerable to SQL Injection due to unparameterized queries in the IMAP backend. An attacker can inject malicious commands by manipulating the username field in basic authentication. This allows the attacker to access and potentially modify or delete sensitive data from a linked third-party database.
**Note:** This vulnerability affects Z-Push installations that utilize the IMAP backend and have the IMAP_FROM_SQL_QUERY option configured.
Mitigation Change configuration to use the default or LDAP in backend/imap/config.php
php define('IMAP_DEFAULTFROM', '');
or php define('IMAP_DEFAULTFROM', 'ldap');
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-8264 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the z-push/z-push-dev package affecting versions prior to 2.7.6. This security weakness resides in the IMAP backend implementation where database queries are constructed using unparameterized inputs, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted authentication requests. The vulnerability specifically targets the username field during basic authentication processes, enabling attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of data stored in linked third-party databases.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from improper input validation and query construction practices within the IMAP backend module. When the IMAP_FROM_SQL_QUERY option is enabled in the configuration, the system processes user authentication requests by constructing database queries that directly incorporate user-supplied data without proper sanitization or parameterization. This violates fundamental security principles and creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web-based attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous for environments where Z-Push serves as a middleware component between email clients and backend mail servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access compromises, as attackers can potentially modify or delete sensitive information from connected database systems. This represents a significant risk for organizations relying on Z-Push for email synchronization services, particularly those with complex backend infrastructures. The vulnerability affects installations that utilize the IMAP backend configuration and have specific options enabled, making it essential for system administrators to understand their deployment configurations and assess their exposure. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to email accounts, extract sensitive communication data, or manipulate database records, potentially leading to broader security breaches within the email infrastructure.
Organizations can mitigate this vulnerability by implementing configuration changes that disable the problematic SQL query functionality and switch to more secure authentication backends. The recommended approach involves modifying the backend/imap/config.php file to either set the IMAP_DEFAULTFROM option to an empty string or explicitly configure it to use LDAP authentication instead of SQL-based user resolution. This configuration change effectively eliminates the attack surface by removing the vulnerable code path that processes user inputs through unparameterized database queries. The mitigation strategy aligns with security best practices outlined in CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and follows the principle of least privilege by reducing the attack surface through proper configuration management. Additionally, this approach addresses the specific ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it prevents exploitation of the vulnerable authentication mechanism through external network access points.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper input validation and parameterized query construction in web applications. Security practitioners should consider implementing comprehensive security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual code review to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their email infrastructure. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of keeping third-party software components updated with the latest security patches, as the issue was resolved in version 2.7.6 of the z-push package. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes and security monitoring procedures to detect and respond to similar vulnerabilities across their IT infrastructure.