Source: cve@mitre.org
Ipswitch IMail 7.0.4 and earlier allows attackers with administrator privileges to read and modify user alias and mailing list information for other domains hosted by the same server via the (1) aliasadmin or (2) listadm1 CGI programs, which do not properly verify that an administrator is the administrator for the target domain.
Ipswitch IMail versions 7.0.4 and earlier are vulnerable to a critical privilege escalation vulnerability, allowing attackers with administrator access to modify user aliases and mailing lists across all domains hosted on the server. This flaw enables unauthorized access to sensitive user data and potentially complete server compromise, posing a significant risk of data breaches and service disruption.
Step 1: Administrator Access: The attacker must first have administrator-level access to any domain hosted on the vulnerable IMail server. This could be achieved through various means, such as social engineering, password cracking, or exploiting other vulnerabilities.
Step 2: Identify CGI Programs: The attacker identifies the vulnerable CGI programs: aliasadmin and/or listadm1. These are the entry points for exploiting the vulnerability.
Step 3: Craft Malicious Request: The attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request to either aliasadmin or listadm1. The request will likely include parameters designed to modify alias or mailing list information for a different domain than the one the attacker has administrator access to.
Step 4: Bypass Authorization: The crafted request bypasses the authorization checks within the CGI programs. Because the programs lack proper domain verification, the request is processed without validating the administrator's authorization for the target domain.
Step 5: Data Modification: The CGI program executes the attacker's request, modifying the alias or mailing list information for the target domain. This could include adding, deleting, or modifying user aliases and mailing list memberships.
Step 6: Impact: The attacker gains unauthorized control over the target domain's email configuration, potentially leading to data theft, spam distribution, or denial-of-service attacks.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the aliasadmin and listadm1 CGI programs. These programs, designed for domain administration, fail to properly verify that an administrator is authorized to manage the target domain's alias and mailing list information. Specifically, the code lacks checks to ensure the administrator's session or credentials are associated with the domain they are attempting to modify. This allows an attacker with administrator-level access on one domain to manipulate the alias and mailing list configurations of other domains hosted on the same server. The root cause is a missing or inadequate access control mechanism, leading to a privilege escalation scenario. The CGI programs likely rely on user-supplied input (e.g., domain names, usernames) without proper authorization checks, allowing for unauthorized modification of critical configuration data.
Due to the age of the vulnerability, it's unlikely to be directly associated with specific APT groups in recent reports. However, any threat actor seeking to compromise email infrastructure could leverage this vulnerability. The vulnerability is not listed on the CISA KEV catalog, but its potential impact on data breaches and service availability makes it a high-priority target for attackers.
Monitor web server logs (e.g., Apache, IIS) for suspicious activity related to aliasadmin and listadm1 CGI programs, including unusual request parameters or frequent access attempts.
Analyze network traffic for HTTP requests targeting the vulnerable CGI programs, especially those originating from unexpected sources or with unusual payloads.
Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to the aliasadmin and listadm1 CGI program files.
Review IMail server configuration files for unauthorized changes to user aliases or mailing list memberships.
Use a vulnerability scanner to identify instances of the vulnerable IMail versions.
Upgrade to a patched version of Ipswitch IMail or a supported alternative. This is the most effective remediation.
If upgrading is not immediately possible, disable the aliasadmin and listadm1 CGI programs if they are not essential for operations. This will prevent exploitation.
Implement strong access controls to the IMail server, including multi-factor authentication for administrator accounts.
Regularly audit administrator accounts and their permissions.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests targeting the vulnerable CGI programs.
Review and harden the server's overall security posture, including patching the operating system and other software components.
Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to detect and block malicious activity.