Homograph Attack Vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2019-15237: Roundcube Webmail through 1.3.9 mishandles Punycode xn-- domain names, leading to homograph attacks. Affects roundcube versions < 1.5.0+dfsg.1-1. Fixed in 1.5.0+dfsg.1-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Roundcube is a widely-used web-based email client that provides a user-friendly interface for managing emails. It supports various features such as MIME support, address book, and folder management. However, it has been identified that versions up to 1.3.9 are vulnerable to a homograph attack due to improper handling of Punycode xn-- domain names, which can lead to phishing attempts and user deception.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail arises from its mishandling of Punycode xn-- domain names, which can be exploited by attackers to create deceptive domain names that appear similar to legitimate ones. This can lead to homograph attacks, where users may be tricked into visiting malicious sites that mimic trusted domains. The vulnerability affects versions of Roundcube up to 1.3.9, and it poses significant risks to user security and data integrity.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.5.0+dfsg.1-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade roundcubeTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid clicking on links from unknown sources and verify the domain names of emails before interacting with them. Additionally, implementing strict email filtering rules may help mitigate the risk of phishing attempts.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail poses a significant risk due to its potential for homograph attacks. Users are strongly advised to update to the latest version to mitigate this risk. Awareness and education about phishing tactics are also crucial in protecting users.
See every vulnerability recorded for roundcube →
FAQ
A homograph attack is a type of phishing attack where an attacker uses visually similar characters from different scripts to create deceptive domain names that mimic legitimate websites.
If you are using Roundcube version 1.3.9 or earlier, your installation is vulnerable. You can check your version in the Roundcube settings or by running the command dpkg -l | grep roundcube.
If an immediate update is not possible, ensure that you educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links and implement additional security measures such as email filtering.
More information can be found in the official Debian CVE database at the provided source link: https://storage.googleapis.com/debian-osv/debian-cve-osv/DEBIAN-CVE-2019-15237.json.
Vulert allows users to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in their software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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