Roundcube Webmail SQL Injection
CVE-2021-44026 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command vulnerability in Webmail from Roundcube, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 1.3.17, 1.4.12 as the first without the flaw, so updating Webmail to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on June 22, 2023, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Webmail to 1.3.17 or 1.4.12, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roundcube | Webmail | before 1.3.17; 1.4.0 up to, but not including, 1.4.12 | 1.3.17, 1.4.12 |
| Fedora Project | Fedora | 33; 34 | Not stated |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 9.0; 10.0; 11.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Roundcube before 1.3.17 and 1.4.x before 1.4.12 is prone to a potential SQL injection via search or search_params.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command
The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using persistence layers such as Hibernate or Enterprise Java Beans, which can provide significant protection against SQL injection if used properly.
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command vulnerabilities (CWE-89)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- bugs.debian.org/1000156Mailing List
- github.com/roundcube/roundcubemail/commit/c8947ecb762d9e89c2091bda28d49002817263f1
- github.com/roundcube/roundcubemail/commit/ee809bde2dcaa04857a919397808a7296681dcfa
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NDVGIZMQJ5IOM47Y3SAA…Mailing List, Release Notes
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/TP3Y5RXTUUOUODNG7HFE…Mailing List, Release Notes
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00004.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- debian.org/security/2021/dsa-5013Third Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-44026US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Webmail
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
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