CVE-2023-2868
Published 2023-05-24 · Updated 2026-06-17 · Source cve-coordination@google.com
Summary
CVE-2023-2868 is a critical-severity (CVSS 9.4) vulnerability in Barracuda Networks Email Security Gateway (ESG) Appliance. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on May 26, 2023, which means exploitation in the wild has been confirmed; US federal agencies had to remediate it by June 16, 2023. CISA does not currently list it as used in ransomware campaigns.
All 1 known-exploited Barracuda Networks vulnerabilities →Description
A remote command injection vulnerability exists in the Barracuda Email Security Gateway (appliance form factor only) product effecting versions 5.1.3.001-9.2.0.006. The vulnerability arises out of a failure to comprehensively sanitize the processing of .tar file (tape archives). The vulnerability stems from incomplete input validation of a user-supplied .tar file as it pertains to the names of the files contained within the archive. As a consequence, a remote attacker can specifically format these file names in a particular manner that will result in remotely executing a system command through Perl's qx operator with the privileges of the Email Security Gateway product. This issue was fixed as part of BNSF-36456 patch. This patch was automatically applied to all customer appliances.
CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L
CISA Known-Exploited Vulnerability
Product: Barracuda Networks — Email Security Gateway (ESG) Appliance
Name: Barracuda Networks ESG Appliance Improper Input Validation Vulnerability
Date added: 2023-05-26 · Due: 2023-06-16
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
References
- https://status.barracuda.com/incidents/34kx82j5n4q9
- https://www.barracuda.com/company/legal/esg-vulnerability
- https://status.barracuda.com/incidents/34kx82j5n4q9
- https://www.barracuda.com/company/legal/esg-vulnerability
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-2868

