CVE-2024-20401
criticalpriority · track · 1EPSS 0.023 · 83 %ileDEEUNLRUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
A vulnerability in the content scanning and message filtering features of Cisco Secure Email Gateway could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability is due to improper handling of email attachments when file analysis and content filters are enabled. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending an email that contains a crafted attachment through an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to replace any file on the underlying file system. The attacker could then perform any of the following actions: add users with root privileges, modify the device configuration, execute arbitrary code, or cause a permanent denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected device. Note: Manual intervention is required to recover from the DoS condition. Customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to help recover a device in this condition.
remediations
Vendor fix, mitigation, or workaround guidance, as published by each source.
A vendor fix is available.
- FixedCisco Secure Emailcisco_csaf
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability.
https://software.cisco.com
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (6)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
advisories (3)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- NCSC-2024-0311Kwetsbaarheden verholpen in Cisco Secure Email GatewayNL2024-07-18csaf · ncsc_nlNL
Er zijn twee kwetsbaarheden verholpen in Cisco Secure Email Gateway.
- WID-SEC-W-2024-1669Cisco Secure Email Gateway: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Ausführen von beliebigem Programmcode mit AdministratorrechtenDeutsch2024-07-17csaf · cert_bundDE
Ein entfernter, anonymer oder authentisierter Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Cisco Secure Email Gateway und Cisco AsyncOS ausnutzen, um beliebigen Programmcode mit Administratorrechten auszuführen
- cisco-sa-esa-afw-bGG2UsjHCisco Secure Email Gateway Arbitrary File Write Vulnerability2024-07-17csaf · cisco_csafUS
A vulnerability in the content scanning and message filtering features of Cisco Secure Email Gateway could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability is due to improper handling of email attachments when file analysis and content filters are enabled. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending an email that contains a crafted attachment through an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to replace any file on the underlying file system. The attacker could then perform any of the following actions: add users with root privileges, modify the device configuration, execute arbitrary code, or cause a permanent denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected device. Note: Manual intervention is required to recover from the DoS condition. Customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to help recover a device in this condition. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
also known as (4)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (4)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://cxsecurity.com/cveshow/CVE-2024-20401/cnnvd
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-esa-afw-bGG2UsjHcnnvd
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-esa-afw-bGG2UsjHenisa_euvd
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-esa-afw-bGG2UsjHVendor Advisorynvd
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