MissingFormatB

MissingFormatB is a security vulnerability affecting templates in Horde Groupware Webmail Edition, a groupware server program. This flaw arises when user input containing a "\bof" (beginning-of-file) escape sequence is converted into a malicious format, leading to a format string vulnerability.

The خطر Format String Vulnerability

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The MissingFormatB vulnerability exploits the format string vulnerability, a common type of attack where a malicious program or user input is used to control the display format of a string. In Horde Groupware, user input is not properly sanitized, making it vulnerable to format string attacks.

Attack Vector

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The attack vector involves a user input field that allows user-generated content, such as an email header or message body. An attacker may send a specially crafted input containing the "\bof" escape sequence to a vulnerable Horde Groupware server. The "\bof" sequence causes the format string to be interpreted as a beginning-of-file character, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Patching and Mitigation

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The MissingFormatB vulnerability has since been addressed with a software patch. Administrators are advised to update their Horde Groupware installations to the latest version. As a preventative measure, developers and administrators can apply input validation and sanitization to user-generated content, ensuring that user input is properly formatted and does not pose a security risk.

Acknowledgment

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The discovery and patching of the MissingFormatB vulnerability are attributed to the Horde Groupware community and developers. This article aims to provide an accurate and informative account of the vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of regular software updates and input validation practices.