CVE-2021-3181 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Mutt through 2.0.4 is affected by CVE-2021-3181, allowing remote attackers to launch a denial of service attack by sending specially crafted email messages. This can result in large memory consumption, rendering the victim unable to access other email messages.

Understanding CVE-2021-3181

CVE-2021-3181 is a vulnerability in Mutt through version 2.0.4 that enables attackers to disrupt email services by exploiting a flaw in the handling of email message addresses.

What is CVE-2021-3181?

CVE-2021-3181 in Mutt through 2.0.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (mailbox unavailability) by sending email messages with sequences of semicolon characters in RFC822 address fields.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3181

Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service condition where a small email message containing specific characters causes significant memory consumption, preventing the victim from accessing legitimate emails.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3181

This section provides additional technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from improper handling of semicolon characters in RFC822 address fields, leading to a denial of service due to excessive memory usage.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mutt versions up to 2.0.4 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending email messages with sequences of semicolon characters, triggering the memory consumption issue.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-3181 and enhance overall cybersecurity, organizations and users should take immediate security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to update Mutt to a patched version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices and regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Users should regularly check for security updates and apply patches promptly to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.