Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A logged-in Roundcube Webmail user could make vulnerable versions access arbitrary server files, including configuration files. That can expose secrets and undermine the mail environment. The issue is historically exploited and listed in CISA KEV, so remaining exposed systems deserve prompt remediation.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for any remaining legacy Roundcube deployment. The flaw is old but known exploited, affects sensitive server files, and may expose mail-system secrets after account compromise.
Technical view
CVE-2017-16651 is a Roundcube arbitrary file access flaw tied to file-based attachment plugins and settings upload-display timezone handling. It affects Roundcube before 1.1.10, 1.2.x before 1.2.7, and 1.3.x before 1.3.3. Authentication and an active session are required.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on internet-facing Roundcube Webmail deployments still running affected 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 releases. The attacker needs valid credentials, so compromised mailbox accounts materially increase risk.
Exploitation context
The CVE description says exploitation occurred in the wild in November 2017, and CISA lists the CVE in KEV. The provided sources do not prove current campaign activity or unauthenticated exploitation.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on version evidence, plugin exposure, and authenticated access paths. The source bundle names affected branches and fixed releases, but does not provide detailed environmental prerequisites beyond active authenticated session and file-based attachment plugin involvement.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Roundcube to 1.1.10, 1.2.7, 1.3.3, or a supported newer release.
- Apply vendor or distribution security updates, including Debian advisories where applicable.
- Review Roundcube configuration files for exposed secrets if compromise is suspected.
- Rotate credentials or keys stored in potentially exposed configuration files.
- Check current vendor guidance for supported upgrade paths and hardening advice.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all Roundcube instances and confirm installed versions.
- Verify package changelogs or release tags include the CVE-2017-16651 fix.
- Review web logs for suspicious settings upload-display timezone activity.
- Identify authenticated accounts active during suspected exposure windows.
- Confirm file-based attachment plugin configuration matches vendor guidance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-552: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCredential and access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2017-16651 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/roundcube/roundcubemail/releases/tag/1.3.3CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://roundcube.net/news/2017/11/08/security-updates-1.3.3-1.2.7-and-1.1.10CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- [debian-lts-announce] 20171128 [SECURITY] [DLA 1193-1] roundcube security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- https://github.com/roundcube/roundcubemail/releases/tag/1.1.10CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/roundcube/roundcubemail/releases/tag/1.2.7CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- DSA-4030CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN
- https://github.com/roundcube/roundcubemail/issues/6026CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-16651CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.