Roundcube flaws allow easy email account compromise (CVE-2024-42009, CVE-2024-42008)

Roundcube Webmail contains a cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw (CWE-79) in the link-reference handling of rcube_string_replacer.php, where the linkref_addindex function mishandles JavaScript embedded in a link element of a plain-text email. An attacker triggers the flaw simply by sending a crafted plain-text message to a victim; when the message is processed/displayed in the Roundcube interface, the embedded script executes in the context of the victim's webmail session. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, theft of webmail cookies or credentials, and arbitrary actions in the victim's mailbox. Any deployment of Roundcube Webmail is affected, which includes self-hosted instances and webmail offered by hosting providers, ISPs, and universities. Although no public proof-of-concept is known, CISA added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-06-22, confirming exploitation in the wild; ransomware association is unknown, and no CVSS score is yet available, though EPSS puts 30-day exploitation probability at 32.7% (98th percentile).

Do: Apply the vendor's updated Roundcube release per CISA's required action (updates per vendor instructions); since no specific fixed versions appear in this data, install the latest patched release of your deployed 1.x branch and verify with the vendor advisory. Check webmail servers for processing of plain-text messages with link-reference elements and review logs for anomalous webmail sessions; treat KEV-listed status as evidence of active exploitation and prioritize internet-exposed Roundcube instances.

Roundcube Webmail contains a SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) in which attacker-controlled 'search' or 'search_params' input is incorporated into database queries without sufficient sanitization. An attacker with access to the webmail search functionality (typically an authenticated mailbox user) can submit crafted parameters to execute arbitrary SQL against the Roundcube backend database, potentially reading or modifying stored mail account data. Any organization running Roundcube is affected, including self-hosted mail servers and customers of hosting providers that ship Roundcube as their bundled webmail client. The flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-06-22, indicating exploitation in the wild, and EPSS assigns a 41.9% probability of exploitation within 30 days (99th percentile). No public proof-of-concept is known, and CISA lists ransomware use as unknown.

Do: Apply vendor updates per Roundcube's instructions by upgrading to the latest patched, supported release, prioritizing internet-facing webmail servers; federal agencies must remediate per the CISA KEV requirement. If Roundcube is managed by a hosting provider (e.g., via cPanel), coordinate patching with them. In the interim, restrict webmail exposure and review database and web logs for anomalous search-related queries that may indicate exploitation.

Roundcube Webmail versions before 1.4.14, 1.5.x before 1.5.4, and 1.6.x before 1.6.3 contain a persistent cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw (CWE-79) caused by how program/lib/Roundcube/rcube_string_replacer.php converts plain text into clickable links. An attacker sends a text/plain email containing crafted links; when the recipient views the message, the crafted link text is turned into HTML that runs attacker-controlled script, which persists and executes in the victim's webmail session. Successful exploitation lets the attacker execute JavaScript with the victim's session, enabling mailbox access, theft of session credentials, and actions performed as the user (CVSS 6.1, scope-changed with limited confidentiality and integrity impact). Anyone running an affected Roundcube instance is exposed, including the roundcube package shipped with Debian Linux. The flaw is being actively exploited: CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-02-12, and EPSS assigns a 58.5% probability of exploitation within 30 days (99th percentile).

Do: Upgrade Roundcube to 1.4.14, 1.5.4, or 1.6.3 (or later, per branch), or install the updated roundcube package on Debian. Because the bug is in CISA's KEV catalog, U.S. federal agencies must apply the vendor fix by the catalog due date, and other defenders should prioritize patching internet-facing webmail servers. Review webmail access logs for suspicious message views or account activity, and consider forcing session re-authentication for accounts that opened crafted plain-text messages.

CVE-2023-5631 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw in Roundcube Webmail caused by insufficient sanitization of SVG content embedded in HTML email by program/lib/Roundcube/rcube_washtml.php. A remote attacker triggers it by sending a crafted HTML email containing a malicious SVG document; when the recipient views the message, arbitrary JavaScript is loaded in their browser session. This lets the attacker act as the victim within the webmail session — for example reading mail or capturing session data — and it has been used in targeted espionage rather than commodity attacks. Anyone running Roundcube before 1.4.15, 1.5.x before 1.5.5, or 1.6.x before 1.6.4 is affected, including Roundcube packages shipped by Debian and Fedora. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA's KEV on 2023-10-26, the Winter Vivern espionage group is reported to have exploited it as a zero-day against government entities, and EPSS puts the 30-day exploitation probability at ~76% (99th percentile).

Do: Upgrade to Roundcube 1.6.4, or 1.5.5 on the 1.5.x branch and 1.4.15 on the 1.4.x branch; apply the corresponding patched roundcube packages for Debian or Fedora. Per the CISA KEV required action, apply vendor mitigations or discontinue use if patching is unavailable. Hunt for compromise by reviewing webmail logs and stored messages for crafted SVG/HTML emails sent around the exploitation window, and review sessions for signs of hijacking.

CVE-2024-42009 is a cross-site scripting (CWE-79) vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail versions through 1.5.7 and 1.6.x through 1.6.7, caused by a desanitization issue in message_body() in program/actions/mail/show.php. An attacker sends a specially crafted email, and when the victim opens it in the Roundcube interface, injected script runs in the context of the victim's webmail session (no privileges are required, but user interaction is needed, per the CVSS UI:R vector). Successful exploitation lets the attacker steal the victim's emails and send messages as the victim, and related reporting notes that, chained with the companion flaw CVE-2024-42008, attackers can compromise email accounts and passwords. Any organization or provider self-hosting an affected Roundcube version is exposed, including universities, hosting providers, enterprises, and government mail systems. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: CISA added the flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-06-09, EPSS is 82.9% (100th percentile), and recent headlines describe suspected China-aligned espionage activity using Roundcube exploit chains against universities.

Do: Upgrade Roundcube to a point release newer than 1.6.7 on the 1.6.x line or newer than 1.5.7 on the 1.5.x line (the latest vendor release of each branch), per vendor instructions; organizations under BOD 22-01 must apply the required mitigations by the KEV due date or discontinue use. Also patch the companion issue CVE-2024-42008 to prevent chained account compromise. Review webmail access logs for suspicious requests to the mail show handler, check sent-mail folders for messages sent unexpectedly as users, and rotate sessions/credentials for potentially targeted accounts.

mod_css_styles in Roundcube through 1.5.7 and 1.6.x through 1.6.7 insufficiently filters Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) token sequences in rendered e-mail messages, allowing a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information.