GNOME Evolution Data Server IMAPx Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability [CVE-2016-10727]

CVE number CVE-2016-10727

A vulnerability in the IMAPx component of GNOME Evolution Data Server could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to access sensitive information on a targeted system.

The vulnerability exists because the IMAPx component, as defined in the camel/providers/imapx/camel-imapx-server.c source code file of the affected software, does not support STARTTLS. If an email client is configured without SSL and an affected system is configured with STARTTLS, error notifications related to the disclosure of sensitive information are ignored. An attacker who is in a man-in-the-middle position between the targeted server and a user on an email client could exploit this vulnerability by sniffing network traffic between the two systems, allowing the attacker to potentially gain access to sensitive information, such as the user’s password. A successful exploit could be used to conduct further attacks.

Proof-of-concept (PoC) code that demonstrates an exploit of this vulnerability is publicly available.

The GNOME Project has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

• To exploit this vulnerability, it is likely that an attacker would need to be on the same physical or logical network as a user who is using an email client that is communicating with the targeted system. This access requirement may reduce the likelihood of a successful exploit.

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.

  Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.

  Users are advised not to open email messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in email messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.

  Users are advised not to visit websites or follow links that have suspicious characteristics or cannot be verified as safe.

  Administrators are advised to use an unprivileged account when browsing the Internet.

  Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.

• The GNOME Project has released a changelog at the following link: Evolution-Data-Server 3.21.2 2016-05-23 – L1022

• The GNOME Project has released a software update at the following link: Evolution-Data-Server 3.21.2

Duncan

Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.