Remote code execution in Exim

1) Heap-based buffer overflow

EUVDB-ID: #VU21399

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 9.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-16928

CWE-ID: CWE-122 - Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the string_vformat() function in string.c when processing an overly long argument for EHLO command. A remote non-authenticated attacker can send a very long string as an argument for the EHLO command, trigger a heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation

Install the latest version from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Exim: 4.92 - 4.92.2

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.92:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.92.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.92.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/1
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/2
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/3
https://bugs.exim.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2449
https://git.exim.org/exim.git/commit/478effbfd9c3cc5a627fc671d4bf94d13670d65f
https://lists.exim.org/lurker/message/20190927.032457.c1044d4c.en.html

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

How the attacker can exploit this vulnerability?

The attacker would have to send a specially crafted request to the affected application in order to exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.