CVE-2023-51747: James server SMTP Smuggling Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2023-51747 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.1) smtp smuggling vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting James server libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves smtp smuggling in apache james. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.7.5, 3.8.1.
CVE-2023-51747 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.1
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2023-51747
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected James server dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.james</groupId>
<artifactId>james-server</artifactId>
<version>3.7.5</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.james</groupId>
<artifactId>james-server</artifactId>
<version>3.8.1</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.jamesHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2023-51747, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.jamesAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of James server in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.7.5), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.james command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, where the product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. In James server, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2023-51747 Affected James server Versions
2 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.james:james-server
|
Maven |
< 3.7.5
|
3.7.5
|
|
org.apache.james:james-server
|
Maven |
≥ 3.8.0
< 3.8.1
All 1 versions
3.8.0
|
3.8.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2023-51747?
Which James server versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2023-51747?
Is james-server affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-51747?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-51747?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2023-51747?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-p5q9-86w4-2xr5",
"modified" : "2024-11-13T23:26:45Z",
"published" : "2024-02-27T15:30:31Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-51747" ],
"summary" : "SMTP smuggling in Apache James",
"details" : "Apache James prior to versions 3.8.1 and 3.7.5 is vulnerable to SMTP smuggling.\n\nA lenient behaviour in line delimiter handling might create a difference of interpretation between the sender and the receiver which can be exploited by an attacker to forge an SMTP envelop, allowing for instance to bypass SPF checks.\n\nThe patch implies enforcement of CRLF as a line delimiter as part of the DATA transaction.\n\nWe recommend James users to upgrade to non vulnerable versions.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.james:james-server"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.7.5"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.james:james-server"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "3.8.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.8.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "3.8.0" ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-51747"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/james-project/commit/d1ef102540e504c067b6c1721a6f1e7eee9c6fc6"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/james-project/commit/d5cd8bb098aa78d8d62c9645f3c532689ef1cb03"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/james-project"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/rxkwbkh9vgbl9rzx1fkllyk3krhgydko"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://postfix.org/smtp-smuggling.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://sec-consult.com/blog/detail/smtp-smuggling-spoofing-e-mails-worldwide"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/27/4"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20", "CWE-290" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2024-02-27T18:58:24Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2024-02-27T14:15:27Z"
}
}