Vulnerabilities > CVE-2001-1009 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls vulnerability in Fetchmail

047910
CVSS 10.0 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
COMPLETE
Integrity impact
COMPLETE
Availability impact
COMPLETE
network
low complexity
fetchmail
CWE-264
critical
nessus
exploit available

Summary

Fetchmail (aka fetchmail-ssl) before 5.8.17 allows a remote malicious (1) IMAP server or (2) POP/POP3 server to overwrite arbitrary memory and possibly gain privileges via a negative index number as part of a response to a LIST request.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Fetchmail
71

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Accessing, Modifying or Executing Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an attacker to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an attacker to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Blue Boxing
    This type of attack against older telephone switches and trunks has been around for decades. A tone is sent by an adversary to impersonate a supervisor signal which has the effect of rerouting or usurping command of the line. While the US infrastructure proper may not contain widespread vulnerabilities to this type of attack, many companies are connected globally through call centers and business process outsourcing. These international systems may be operated in countries which have not upgraded Telco infrastructure and so are vulnerable to Blue boxing. Blue boxing is a result of failure on the part of the system to enforce strong authorization for administrative functions. While the infrastructure is different than standard current applications like web applications, there are historical lessons to be learned to upgrade the access control for administrative functions.
  • Restful Privilege Elevation
    Rest uses standard HTTP (Get, Put, Delete) style permissions methods, but these are not necessarily correlated generally with back end programs. Strict interpretation of HTTP get methods means that these HTTP Get services should not be used to delete information on the server, but there is no access control mechanism to back up this logic. This means that unless the services are properly ACL'd and the application's service implementation are following these guidelines then an HTTP request can easily execute a delete or update on the server side. The attacker identifies a HTTP Get URL such as http://victimsite/updateOrder, which calls out to a program to update orders on a database or other resource. The URL is not idempotent so the request can be submitted multiple times by the attacker, additionally, the attacker may be able to exploit the URL published as a Get method that actually performs updates (instead of merely retrieving data). This may result in malicious or inadvertent altering of data on the server.
  • Target Programs with Elevated Privileges
    This attack targets programs running with elevated privileges. The attacker would try to leverage a bug in the running program and get arbitrary code to execute with elevated privileges. For instance an attacker would look for programs that write to the system directories or registry keys (such as HKLM, which stores a number of critical Windows environment variables). These programs are typically running with elevated privileges and have usually not been designed with security in mind. Such programs are excellent exploit targets because they yield lots of power when they break. The malicious user try to execute its code at the same level as a privileged system call.

Exploit-Db

  • descriptionFetchmail 5.x POP3 Reply Signed Integer Index Vulnerability. CVE-2001-1009. Remote exploit for unix platform
    idEDB-ID:21064
    last seen2016-02-02
    modified2001-08-09
    published2001-08-09
    reporterSalvatore Sanfilippo -antirez-
    sourcehttps://www.exploit-db.com/download/21064/
    titleFetchmail 5.x POP3 Reply Signed Integer Index Vulnerability
  • descriptionFetchmail 5.x IMAP Reply Signed Integer Index Vulnerability. CVE-2001-1009. Remote exploit for unix platform
    idEDB-ID:21066
    last seen2016-02-02
    modified2001-08-09
    published2001-08-09
    reporterSanfillipo antirez
    sourcehttps://www.exploit-db.com/download/21066/
    titleFetchmail 5.x IMAP Reply Signed Integer Index Vulnerability

Nessus

  • NASL familyMandriva Local Security Checks
    NASL idMANDRAKE_MDKSA-2001-072.NASL
    descriptionA vulnerability was found by Salvatore Sanfilippo in both the IMAP and POP3 code of fetchmail where the input is not verified and no bounds checking is done. This can be exploited by a remote attacker to write arbitrary data into memory. The attacker must have control of the mail server the client is connecting to via fetchmail in order to exploit this vulnerability.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id13887
    published2004-07-31
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2004-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/13887
    titleMandrake Linux Security Advisory : fetchmail (MDKSA-2001:072)
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
    
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
    # extracted from Mandrake Linux Security Advisory MDKSA-2001:072. 
    # The text itself is copyright (C) Mandriva S.A.
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(13887);
      script_version ("1.15");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/08/02 13:32:46");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2001-1009");
      script_xref(name:"MDKSA", value:"2001:072");
    
      script_name(english:"Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : fetchmail (MDKSA-2001:072)");
      script_summary(english:"Checks rpm output for the updated packages");
    
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"synopsis", 
        value:
    "The remote Mandrake Linux host is missing one or more security
    updates."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"description", 
        value:
    "A vulnerability was found by Salvatore Sanfilippo in both the IMAP and
    POP3 code of fetchmail where the input is not verified and no bounds
    checking is done. This can be exploited by a remote attacker to write
    arbitrary data into memory. The attacker must have control of the mail
    server the client is connecting to via fetchmail in order to exploit
    this vulnerability."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"solution", 
        value:
    "Update the affected fetchmail, fetchmail-daemon and / or fetchmailconf
    packages."
      );
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:mandriva:linux:fetchmail");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:mandriva:linux:fetchmail-daemon");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:mandriva:linux:fetchmailconf");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:mandrakesoft:mandrake_linux:7.1");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:mandrakesoft:mandrake_linux:7.2");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:mandrakesoft:mandrake_linux:8.0");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2001/08/31");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2004/07/31");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2004-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
      script_family(english:"Mandriva Local Security Checks");
    
      script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
      script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/cpu", "Host/Mandrake/release", "Host/Mandrake/rpm-list");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    
    include("audit.inc");
    include("global_settings.inc");
    include("rpm.inc");
    
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Mandrake/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Mandriva / Mandake Linux");
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Mandrake/rpm-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);
    
    cpu = get_kb_item("Host/cpu");
    if (isnull(cpu)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_ARCH);
    if (cpu !~ "^(amd64|i[3-6]86|x86_64)$") audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_IMPLEMENTED, "Mandriva / Mandrake Linux", cpu);
    
    
    flag = 0;
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK7.1", cpu:"i386", reference:"fetchmail-5.3.8-4.2mdk", yank:"mdk")) flag++;
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK7.1", cpu:"i386", reference:"fetchmailconf-5.3.8-4.2mdk", yank:"mdk")) flag++;
    
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK7.2", cpu:"i386", reference:"fetchmail-5.5.2-5.2mdk", yank:"mdk")) flag++;
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK7.2", cpu:"i386", reference:"fetchmail-daemon-5.5.2-5.2mdk", yank:"mdk")) flag++;
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK7.2", cpu:"i386", reference:"fetchmailconf-5.5.2-5.2mdk", yank:"mdk")) flag++;
    
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK8.0", cpu:"i386", reference:"fetchmail-5.7.4-5.2mdk", yank:"mdk")) flag++;
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK8.0", cpu:"i386", reference:"fetchmail-daemon-5.7.4-5.2mdk", yank:"mdk")) flag++;
    if (rpm_check(release:"MDK8.0", cpu:"i386", reference:"fetchmailconf-5.7.4-5.2mdk", yank:"mdk")) flag++;
    
    
    if (flag)
    {
      if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:rpm_report_get());
      else security_hole(0);
      exit(0);
    }
    else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
    
  • NASL familyDebian Local Security Checks
    NASL idDEBIAN_DSA-071.NASL
    descriptionSalvatore Sanfilippo found two remotely exploitable problems infetchmail while doing a security audit. In both the IMAP code and the POP3 code, the input isn
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id14908
    published2004-09-29
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2004-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/14908
    titleDebian DSA-071-1 : fetchmail - memory corruption
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
    
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
    # extracted from Debian Security Advisory DSA-071. The text 
    # itself is copyright (C) Software in the Public Interest, Inc.
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(14908);
      script_version("1.18");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/08/02 13:32:16");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2001-1009");
      script_bugtraq_id(3164, 3166);
      script_xref(name:"DSA", value:"071");
    
      script_name(english:"Debian DSA-071-1 : fetchmail - memory corruption");
      script_summary(english:"Checks dpkg output for the updated package");
    
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"synopsis", 
        value:"The remote Debian host is missing a security-related update."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"description", 
        value:
    "Salvatore Sanfilippo found two remotely exploitable problems
     infetchmail while doing a security audit. In both the IMAP code and
     the POP3 code, the input isn't verified even though it's used to
     store a number in an array. Since no bounds checking is done this can
     be used by an attacker to write arbitrary data in memory. An attacker
     can use this if they can get a user to transfer mail from a custom
     IMAP or POP3 server they control."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"http://www.debian.org/security/2001/dsa-071"
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"solution", 
        value:
    "This has been fixed in version 5.3.3-3, we recommend that you update
    your fetchmail packages immediately."
      );
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
      script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:F/RL:OF/RC:C");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:fetchmail");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:2.2");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2001/08/10");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2004/09/29");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2004-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
      script_family(english:"Debian Local Security Checks");
    
      script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
      script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Debian/release", "Host/Debian/dpkg-l");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    
    include("audit.inc");
    include("debian_package.inc");
    
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Debian");
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);
    
    
    flag = 0;
    if (deb_check(release:"2.2", prefix:"fetchmail", reference:"5.3.3-3")) flag++;
    if (deb_check(release:"2.2", prefix:"fetchmailconf", reference:"5.3.3-3")) flag++;
    
    if (flag)
    {
      if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:deb_report_get());
      else security_hole(0);
      exit(0);
    }
    else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
    

Redhat

advisories
rhsa
idRHSA-2001:103