#VU228 Security restrictions bypass in Cisco AsyncOS for Cisco Email Security Appliance - CVE-2016-1461

Vulnerability identifier: #VU228

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 1.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2016-1461

CWE-ID: CWE-20

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Cisco AsyncOS for Cisco Email Security Appliance
Server applications / IDS/IPS systems, Firewalls and proxy servers

Vendor: Cisco Systems, Inc

Description
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to bypass security controls on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper application of message filtering rules to email attachments. A remote unauthenticated attacker can cause an ESA to fail to detect and act upon a specific type of file that is attached to an email message by sending an email message with a crafted attachment to an affected appliance.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in a host/resource access via network.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Cisco AsyncOS for Cisco Email Security Appliance: 9.0 - 10.0

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External links
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20160727-esa

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

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

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.