CVE-2024-11182 is a medium-severity Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting MDaemon Email Server versions prior to 24.5.1c. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending an HTML email containing JavaScript within an image tag. This allows the attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the webmail user's browser, potentially compromising sensitive information or conducting further attacks.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. This is significant because it highlights the potential for exploitation in environments where MDaemon Email Server is deployed. Organizations utilizing this software should be aware of the risks to their email systems and the users accessing them.
As of now, there is no public exploit confirmed for this vulnerability, but it has been identified in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability to protect their systems from potential exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately, following the vendor's update instructions to ensure the security of their email systems.
Vulnerability Details
MDaemon Email Server versions prior to 24.5.1c contain an XSS vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code when a user interacts with a malicious email. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')).
The CVSS version 4.0 vector for this vulnerability is: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X. This indicates that the attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required for exploitation, but it requires user interaction.
This vulnerability was published on November 15, 2024, and affects all versions of MDaemon prior to the vendor patch, 24.5.1c.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of user input in the MDaemon Email Server application. Specifically, the server fails to adequately sanitize or encode HTML content within email messages, allowing malicious scripts to be executed in the context of the user's browser.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. Attack complexity is low, as the attacker does not require any special conditions to launch the attack, beyond sending a crafted email. No privileges are required, and the user interaction is passive, as the user only needs to open the malicious email.
The confidentiality impact is low, as the attacker may not directly access sensitive information without further exploitation. However, the integrity impact is also low, given that the attacker cannot modify existing information without additional steps. There is no availability impact.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes the potential for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of users' browsers. This could lead to various malicious actions, including session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of internal systems. The blast radius may extend to any user accessing malicious emails, potentially impacting a large number of users if the exploitation is successful.
Given the CVSS score of 5.3, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The urgency is underscored by its listing in the KEV catalog, which indicates that it has been recognized as a significant risk that may be actively exploited.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
MDaemon Email Server versions prior to 24.5.1c are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to this version or later to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To address this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by the vendor. MDaemon has provided release notes detailing the required updates, which can be found in the release notes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing email filtering solutions and educating users about the risks of opening unsolicited emails.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual behavior in email interactions can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should review logs for any suspicious activities related to email access and analyze user reports of unexpected behavior or phishing attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-11182 lies in its demonstration of how email systems can be exploited through vulnerabilities in user input handling. This case reflects a broader trend of increasing XSS vulnerabilities in web applications. Security teams should learn from this incident by ensuring thorough input validation and employing robust security measures.
For comprehensive security assessments, organizations may consider utilizing penetration testing services to identify similar weaknesses in their applications. Additionally, implementing red teaming exercises can provide deeper insights into potential attack vectors and enhance overall security posture.
Finally, organizations should regularly review their vulnerability management program to ensure timely updates and security patches are applied across all applications.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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