CVE-2019-1947 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2019-1947, a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Email Security Appliance that could lead to a denial of service attack. Find out the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
Cisco Email Security Appliance Denial of Service Vulnerability
Understanding CVE-2019-1947
This CVE involves a weakness in the email message filtering function of Cisco AsyncOS Software for Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA), potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) attack.
What is CVE-2019-1947?
The vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to cause CPU usage to reach 100%, resulting in a DoS situation on the affected device. It stems from inadequate handling of email messages with large attachments.
The Impact of CVE-2019-1947
- CVSS Base Score: 8.6 (High Severity)
- Attack Vector: Network
- Availability Impact: High
- Successful exploitation can lead to a lasting DoS situation due to excessive CPU usage.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-1947
The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Cisco Email Security Appliance allows an attacker to exploit the email message filtering feature, causing CPU utilization to spike to 100% and resulting in a DoS condition.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA)
- Vendor: Cisco
- Affected Version: Not Applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Privileges Required: None
- Scope: Changed
- The attacker can send a malicious email message through the targeted device to trigger the vulnerability.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from CVE-2019-1947 with the following steps.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly.
- Monitor CPU usage for any unusual spikes.
- Implement email filtering rules to detect and block malicious emails.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and firmware.
- Conduct security training for employees on identifying phishing emails.
- Implement network segmentation to contain potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
- Check for security advisories from Cisco regarding this vulnerability.
- Apply recommended patches or updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.