iDEFENSE Security Advisory 05.24.05: Ipswitch IMail IMAP LOGIN Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities

From: iDEFENSE Labs (labs-no-reply_at_idefense.com)
Date: 05/24/05

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    Date: Tue, 24 May 2005 16:09:20 -0400
To: <bugtraq@securityfocus.com>, <vulnwatch@vulnwatch.org>, <full-disclosure@lists.grok.org.uk>

    Ipswitch IMail IMAP LOGIN Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities

    iDEFENSE Security Advisory 05.24.05
    www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=243&type=vulnerabilities
    May 24, 2005

    I. BACKGROUND

    Ipswitch Collaboration Suite (ICS) is a comprehensive communication and
    collaboration solution for Microsoft Windows with a customer base of
    over 53 million users. More information is available on the vendor's
    website:

         http://www.ipswitch.com/products/IMail_Server/index.html

    II. DESCRIPTION

    Remote exploitation of several buffer overflow vulnerabilities in
    Ipswitch Inc.'s Imail IMAP server allows attackers to execute arbitrary
    code with System privileges.

    The first vulnerability specifically exists in the handling of a long
    username to the LOGIN command. A long username argument of approximately

    2,000 bytes will cause a stack based unicode string buffer overflow
    providing the attacker with partial control over EIP. As this
    vulnerability is in the LOGIN command itself, valid credentials are not
    required.

    The second vulnerability also exists in the handling of the LOGIN
    command username argument, however it lends itself to easier
    exploitation. If a large username starting with one of several special
    characters is specified, a stack overflow occurs, allowing an attacker
    to overwrite the saved instruction pointer and control execution flow.
    Included in the list of special characters are the following: % : * @ &

    Both of these vulnerabilities can lead to the execution of arbitrary
    code.

    III. ANALYSIS

    Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary
    code with System privileges. Valid credentials are not required to for
    exploitation, which heightens the impact of this vulnerability.

    IV. DETECTION

    iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in the latest

    version of Ipswitch IMAIL, version 8.13. Version 8.12 is also confirmed
    as vulnerable. It is suspected that earlier versions are also
    vulnerable.

    V. WORKAROUND

    As this vulnerability is exploited before authentication occurs, the
    only effective workaround is to limit access to the IMAP server by
    filtering TCP port 143. If possible, consider disabling IMAP and forcing

    users to use POP3.

    VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

    The vendor has released the following patch to fix this vulnerability:

    ftp://ftp.ipswitch.com/Ipswitch/Product_Support/IMail/imail82hf2.exe

    The associated vendor advisory can be found at:

    http://www.ipswitch.com/support/imail/releases/imail_professional/im82hf
    2.html

    VII. CVE INFORMATION

    The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
    name CAN-2005-1255 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
    the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
    security problems.

    VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

    04/25/2005 Initial vendor notification
    05/10/2005 Initial vendor response
    05/24/2005 Public disclosure

    IX. CREDIT

    The discoverer of the first vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.
    iDEFENSE Labs is credited with the discovery of the second
    vulnerability.

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    X. LEGAL NOTICES

    Copyright (c) 2005 iDEFENSE, Inc.

    Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert
    electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express
    written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
    part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please
    email customerservice@idefense.com for permission.

    Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
    at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
    of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
    There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
    author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
    or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
    this information.

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