Detect SmarterMail Unrestricted File Upload Exploitation (CVE-2025-52691) in IBM QRadar
Detects exploitation of CVE-2025-52691, an unrestricted file upload vulnerability in SmarterTools SmarterMail. This vulnerability allows attackers to upload files with dangerous types (e.g., web shells, executables) to the mail server, potentially enabling remote code execution. This CVE is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Initial Access Execution Persistence
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') AS EventTime,
sourceip, destinationip, username, filename, filepath,
QIDNAME(qid) AS EventName, logsourcename(logsourceid) AS LogSource
FROM events
WHERE LOGSOURCE = 'Windows' AND CATEGORY = 'File System'
AND (
(filename IMATCHES '.*\.(aspx|asp|php|jsp|cfm|cgi|pl|exe|dll|bat|cmd|ps1|vbs|hta)$'
AND (filepath IMATCHES '.*smartermail.*' OR filepath IMATCHES '.*mailroot.*' OR filepath IMATCHES '.*webmail.*'))
OR
(EventName IMATCHES '.*process.*create.*'
AND username IMATCHES '.*smartermail.*'
AND filename IMATCHES '.*(cmd|powershell|wscript|cscript|mshta|certutil)\.exe$')
)
AND LOGSOURCE_LAST(starttime) > NOW() - 7 DAYS
ORDER BY starttime DESC
LAST 7 DAYSIdentifies file creation events with dangerous extensions in SmarterMail paths and suspicious process executions under SmarterMail context using QRadar AQL, targeting exploitation indicators of CVE-2025-52691.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Authorized SmarterMail administrators uploading legitimate scripts or configuration files
- IT automation tools creating temporary files in the SmarterMail directory during maintenance
- Antivirus quarantine operations moving files into directories matching the path pattern
Other platforms for CVE-2025-52691
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate Web Shell Upload to SmarterMail Directory
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 11 (FileCreate) with TargetFilename containing 'SmarterMail' and ending in '.aspx'; DeviceFileEvents in Defender with ActionType=FileCreated
- Test 2Simulate SmarterMail Spawning Suspicious Child Process
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1 (ProcessCreate) showing cmd.exe with parent process context; DeviceProcessEvents showing cmd.exe creation with CommandLine containing 'whoami'
- Test 3Upload Executable File to Simulated Mail Server Web Directory
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 11 (FileCreate) with TargetFilename matching 'C:\Temp\mailroot\webmail\update.exe'; file hash telemetry for the copied executable
- Test 4Simulate PowerShell Execution via Web Shell Context
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1 (ProcessCreate) for powershell.exe with CommandLine containing reconnaissance commands; PowerShell Script Block Logging (Event ID 4104) if enabled
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2025-52691 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.