CVE-2019-15961: Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) Software Email Parsing Vulnerability

Published Nov 25, 2019
·
Updated

A vulnerability in the email parsing module Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) Software versions 0.102.0, 0.101.4 and prior could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to inefficient MIME parsing routines that result in extremely long scan times of specially formatted email files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted email file to an affected device. An exploit could allow the attacker to cause the ClamAV scanning process to scan the crafted email file indefinitely, resulting in a denial of service condition.

Affected Software

8 affected componentsFixes available
clamav clamav<=0.101.4
clamav clamav=0.102.0
Cisco Email Security Appliance Firmware=11.1.1-042
Cisco Email Security Appliance Firmware=11.1.2-023
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=12.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=14.04
Debian Debian Linux=8.0
debian/clamav
0.103.10+dfsg-0+deb11u11.4.3+dfsg-1~deb11u11.4.3+dfsg-1~deb12u21.4.3+dfsg-11.4.3+dfsg-2

Event History

Jan 15, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·07:05 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·07:05 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Aug 5, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·01:13 AM
Description
Feb 20, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·11:46 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Debian·11:47 PM
DescriptionAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2019-15961?

CVE-2019-15961 is a vulnerability in the email parsing module Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) software versions 0.102.0, 0.101.4 and prior.

2

How does CVE-2019-15961 affect the affected software?

CVE-2019-15961 can cause a denial of service condition on affected devices running Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) software versions 0.102.0, 0.101.4, as well as Cisco Email Security Appliance Firmware versions 11.1.1-042 and 11.1.2-023, Canonical Ubuntu Linux versions 12.04 and 14.04, and Debian Debian Linux version 8.0.

3

What is the severity of CVE-2019-15961?

CVE-2019-15961 has a severity rating of 6.5 (high).

4

How can an unauthenticated remote attacker exploit CVE-2019-15961?

An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit CVE-2019-15961 by sending a specially crafted email to an affected device, causing it to enter a denial of service condition.

5

Are there any references available for CVE-2019-15961?

Yes, you can find more information about CVE-2019-15961 at the following references: 1. [ClamAV Bugzilla](https://bugzilla.clamav.net/show_bug.cgi?id=12380) 2. [Debian LTS Announce](https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/02/msg00016.html) 3. [Cisco Bug CSCvr56010](https://quickview.cloudapps.cisco.com/quickview/bug/CSCvr56010)

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