In Jakarta Mail version 2.0.2, a vulnerability allows for SMTP injection by utilizing the \r and \n UTF-8 characters to separate different messages. This medium-severity vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.0, indicating a moderate risk level that organizations must address. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate email message formats, which can lead to unauthorized actions within email applications.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and manipulation of email communications. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to significant trust issues and data integrity concerns. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, but the potential for abuse exists, particularly in environments that rely heavily on email communications.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. The need for swift action is crucial, given the moderate severity level and the potential impact on organizational operations.
The Jakarta Mail vulnerability was published on July 21, 2025, and is classified under CWE-147, indicating improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('Command Injection'). It is essential for organizations using Jakarta Mail to assess their deployment and apply the necessary updates to prevent exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows for SMTP injection, specifically in Jakarta Mail 2.0.2, by leveraging the use of \r and \n characters. The CVSS score of 6 indicates a medium severity, with high impact on the integrity of the email messages. The affected products include both angus_mail and jakarta_mail components, and organizations should be aware of their usage.
The vulnerability was published in July 2025, and organizations are encouraged to monitor their systems for updates from Eclipse regarding patches for this issue.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of SMTP commands in Jakarta Mail, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low privileges and no user interaction. The impact on confidentiality is none, while the integrity impact is high, as attackers can manipulate email content. The complexity of the attack is classified as high, which may limit the likelihood of exploitation without specific conditions being met.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential risk from this vulnerability, if exploited, includes unauthorized access to sensitive information within email communications and the capability to manipulate email transmissions. Organizations using Jakarta Mail should assess their risk exposure and consider the blast radius of an attack involving this vulnerability, particularly in environments where email is critical to business operations.
Given the CVSS score of 6, organizations should schedule remediation as part of their priority patch cycle. The urgency to address this vulnerability is moderate, and it is advisable to stay updated on any further developments from the vendor.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Jakarta Mail 2.0.2 and Angus Mail versions prior to 2.0.4. Organizations should ensure they are using the latest versions to mitigate this vulnerability. If version information is unavailable, it is advisable to assume all versions prior to the latest vendor patch are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying patches provided by Eclipse for Jakarta Mail and Angus Mail. Regularly updating these components is critical for maintaining security.
For those unable to apply patches immediately, implementing configuration hardening and network controls can help mitigate risks. Continuous monitoring for unusual email activities can also aid in detecting potential exploitation attempts.
For more information on security testing, organizations can refer to the resource on penetration testing to enhance their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of SMTP injection attempts, such as unusual message formats or unexpected command sequences. Behavioral anomalies in email handling should also be scrutinized to identify potential exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The Jakarta Mail vulnerability reflects a broader trend in email security weaknesses. As attackers become more sophisticated, organizations must adopt a proactive security framework.
Security teams should conduct regular assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities. For strategic insights, organizations can consult resources on penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management programs to enhance their defensive strategies.
The importance of staying informed about vulnerabilities and adopting a comprehensive security strategy cannot be overstated. For further guidance on security assessments, refer to the resource on API security testing as part of your organization's overall security measures.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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