Rule:

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Sid:
1844

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Summary:
This event is generated when a remote attacker sends an overly long argument in the AUTHENTICATE command to an internal IMAP server, indicating an attempt to exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability in Netscape Messaging Server and University of Washington IMAP implementations. This may also affect other IMAP server implementations.

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Impact:
Remote execution of arbitrary code with the security privileges of the IMAP process, possibly leading to remote root compromise.

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Detailed Information:
A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the AUTHENTICATE command in University of Washington IMAP and Netscape Messaging Server. This can allow a remote attacker to send an AUTHENTICATE command with a malformed, overlong argument to a vulnerable IMAP server, causing a buffer overflow condition. The attacker can then execute arbitrary code on the server with the security privileges of the IMAP server process.

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Affected Systems:
Netscape Messaging Server 3.55 and earlier
University of Washington imapd 10.234 and earlier.

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Attack Scenarios:
An attacker sends an overly long, malformed argument to an AUTHENTICATE command to a vulnerable IMAP server, causing a buffer overflow condition. The attacker is then able to execute arbitrary code on the server with the security privileges of the IMAP server process.

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Ease of Attack:
Simple. Exploits exist.

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False Positives:
None known.

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False Negatives:
None known.

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Corrective Action:
Patches have been released for both UW IMAP and Netscape Messaging Server. Apply the patch or upgrade to a Netscape Messaging Server version higher than 3.55 or UW IMAP version higher than 10.234.

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Contributors:
Sourcefire Vulnerability Research Team
Brian Caswell <bmc@sourcefire.com>
Sourcefire Technical Publications Team
Jennifer Harvey <jennifer.harvey@sourcefire.com>

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Additional References:

CVE
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-1999-0005

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