CVE-2019-10149 is a critical vulnerability found in Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91. This vulnerability allows for remote command execution, stemming from improper validation of recipient addresses within the deliver_message() function located in /src/deliver.c. Given the severity of this flaw with a CVSS score of 9.8, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential exploitation.
The risk to organizations includes significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability due to the nature of remote command execution. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems, which can lead to unauthorized access and data compromise.
As of now, it is known that there are public exploits available, and the vulnerability is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating a higher likelihood of active exploitation in the wild. Therefore, organizations should address this issue in their priority patch cycle.
Immediate action is critical, as this vulnerability poses a serious threat to systems running affected versions of Exim, particularly in environments where the software is deployed without adequate security measures.
Vulnerability Details
A flaw was found in Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91 (inclusive). Improper validation of recipient address in deliver_message() function in /src/deliver.c may lead to remote command execution. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, classified as critical, indicating its severe impact and the urgency for remediation.
Affected products include Exim Mail Transfer Agent (MTA), with known configurations on Debian and Ubuntu systems. The CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-78, indicating improper input validation.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2019-10149 is an improper validation of recipient addresses within the deliver_message() function in Exim. The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit the flaw with low complexity, as no privileges or user interaction are required.
The impacts of this vulnerability are severe, with high scores for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands, compromising the affected system's security.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2019-10149 is significant. Organizations utilizing vulnerable Exim versions are at a heightened risk of compromise due to the potential for remote command execution. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and disruption of services, making it imperative to address this vulnerability promptly.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is considerable, affecting all instances of Exim within the specified version range. Organizations should assess their deployment of Exim and prioritize patching efforts, especially considering the CVSS score and inclusion in KEV.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability impacts Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91 (inclusive). Organizations should ensure that all versions prior to vendor patch are addressed to prevent exploitation.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to address CVE-2019-10149. If patches are not immediately available, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to Exim services and monitor for unusual activity.
For further validation of the effectiveness of your remediation efforts, organizations should consider conducting penetration testing to identify any remaining vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2019-10149, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized command execution or anomalies in behavior related to Exim service requests.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2019-10149 highlights the critical need for proper input validation in software design. This vulnerability exemplifies a broader trend of remote command execution flaws that can severely impact organizations if not addressed promptly.
Security teams should take away the importance of rigorously testing all input pathways in their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities. For more comprehensive security practices, organizations can explore our penetration testing methodology to enhance their security posture.
Organizations should also consider the benefits of implementing a robust vulnerability management program to continuously identify and remediate security weaknesses.
In light of the findings from CVE-2019-10149, organizations should reevaluate their security defenses and consider integrating proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with input validation vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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