CVE-2021-32749: Possible RCE vulnerability in mailing action using mailutils (mail-whois)
fail2ban is a daemon to ban hosts that cause multiple authentication errors. In versions 0.9.7 and prior, 0.10.0 through 0.10.6, and 0.11.0 through 0.11.2, there is a vulnerability that leads to possible remote code execution in the mailing action mail-whois. Command mail from mailutils package used in mail actions like mail-whois can execute command if unescaped sequences (\n~) are available in "foreign" input (for instance in whois output). To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would need to insert malicious characters into the response sent by the whois server, either via a MITM attack or by taking over a whois server. The issue is patched in versions 0.10.7 and 0.11.3. As a workaround, one may avoid the usage of action mail-whois or patch the vulnerability manually.
Affected Software
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Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2021-32749?
CVE-2021-32749 is considered to have a high severity due to the potential for remote code execution.
How do I fix CVE-2021-32749?
To fix CVE-2021-32749, upgrade to fail2ban version 0.10.7 or later, or 0.11.3 or later.
What versions of fail2ban are affected by CVE-2021-32749?
CVE-2021-32749 affects fail2ban versions 0.9.7 and prior, 0.10.0 through 0.10.6, and 0.11.0 through 0.11.2.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2021-32749?
CVE-2021-32749 is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability.
What can be exploited in CVE-2021-32749?
CVE-2021-32749 allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary commands through the mail-whois action in fail2ban.