CVE-2021-20617 Scanner

Acmailer is an email marketing software used by businesses and organizations for managing email lists and sending newsletters. It enables users to create, send, and track email marketing campaigns, making it a versatile tool for digital marketing efforts. This platform is utilized by companies of varying sizes to enhance customer engagement and communication. Acmailer is often set up on servers to automate the distribution of mass emails while offering analytical insights into campaign performance. The software serves marketers and businesses seeking to optimize their email outreach in a streamlined manner. It provides tools to segment target audiences and schedule email deliveries for optimal impact.

The OS Command Injection vulnerability in Acmailer allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands. This vulnerability stems from improper access controls in certain API endpoints. Exploitability is high as attackers can issue commands with elevated privileges, posing significant risks. Vulnerable systems may inadvertently expose sensitive information or undergo unauthorized modifications. Attackers exploiting this flaw could gain complete control over the affected server. The vulnerability is notable for its broad impact across various configurations of the Acmailer platform.

Technical details reveal that the vulnerability is present in the handling of certain HTTP POST requests. The "init_ctl.cgi" endpoint is specifically flagged as exploitable, where injected commands are embedded within user-supplied input fields. Due to insufficient validation, malicious commands bypass authentication checks, leading to the execution at the server level. This method of exploitation leverages the lack of parameter sanitization. The effectiveness of the attack is enhanced when leveraged in combination with other network tools. Discovering this endpoint and crafting a suitable payload can provide attackers with administrative privileges.

Exploiting this vulnerability can have dire consequences, including unauthorized access to sensitive data and server compromise. Once exploited, attackers may install backdoors or exfiltrate confidential information. The ensuing control could facilitate other types of cyber-attacks, such as data corruption or service disruption. The integrity of the server and its hosted applications can be significantly undermined. This vulnerability, if left unpatched, poses a critical threat requiring immediate attention. Organizations could also face reputational damage should customer data be exposed.

REFERENCES

• https://starlabs.sg/blog/2023/02-dissecting-the-vulnerabilities-a-comprehensive-teardown-of-acmailer/
• https://www.acmailer.jp/info/de.cgi?id=101
• https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN35906450/index.html
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-20617