CVE-2023-2868
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitA 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.
Published May 25, 2023 · Updated Oct 21, 2025 · Also known as TR-23-0292
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-2868 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware (Barracuda), Email Security Gateway 400 Firmware (Barracuda), Email Security Gateway 600 Firmware (Barracuda) and 3 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since May 18, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 88% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Barracuda Email Security Gateway 9.2.0.006, Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware <=9.2.0.006, Email Security Gateway 400 Firmware <=9.2.0.006.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
88%
Higher than 99.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2023-2868 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | May 26, 2023 | Jun 16, 2023 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | May 18, 2023 | Jun 16, 2023 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | May 26, 2023 | Jun 16, 2023 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | May 26, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
6 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Email Security Gateway 300 FirmwareBarracuda | See advisory | 9.2.0.006 |
| Email Security Gateway 400 FirmwareBarracuda | See advisory | 9.2.0.006 |
| Email Security Gateway 600 FirmwareBarracuda | See advisory | 9.2.0.006 |
| Email Security Gateway 800 FirmwareBarracuda | See advisory | 9.2.0.006 |
| Email Security Gateway 900 FirmwareBarracuda | See advisory | 9.2.0.006 |
Patched Releases
Barracuda Email Security Gateway
9.2.0.006
Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware
<=9.2.0.006
Email Security Gateway 400 Firmware
<=9.2.0.006
Email Security Gateway 600 Firmware
<=9.2.0.006
Email Security Gateway 800 Firmware
<=9.2.0.006
Email Security Gateway 900 Firmware
<=9.2.0.006
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
May 18, 2023
Publicly disclosed
May 25, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
May 26, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
May 26, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
May 26, 2023
Last updated
Oct 21, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-20 Improper Input Validation
- CWE-77 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
References
- advisoryVulnCheck exploitation report
- advisoryhttps://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2023-2868
- advisoryhttps://www.barracuda.com/company/legal/esg-vulnerability
- advisoryhttps://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/barracuda-warns-of-email-gateways-breached-via-zero-day-flaw/
- advisoryUSOM advisory
FAQ
Common Questions.
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.
Affected: Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware (Barracuda); Email Security Gateway 400 Firmware (Barracuda); Email Security Gateway 600 Firmware (Barracuda), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since May 18, 2023.
Yes. It was added on May 26, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Jun 16, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Barracuda Email Security Gateway 9.2.0.006, Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware <=9.2.0.006, Email Security Gateway 400 Firmware <=9.2.0.006.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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