# What is CVE-2023-2868?

> CVE-2023-2868 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) in Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware from Barracuda, published on 24 May 2023. It is on the list of flaws known to be exploited, so criminals are already using it. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 87%. If you run an affected version, patch it first.

Canonical page: https://www.edgeprotect.io/what-is/cve-2023-2868

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this now. Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list.
- **EdgeProtect risk score:** 89 out of 100 (Critical); action: Emergency patch. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** Critical (CVSS 9.8 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** Yes, it is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 87% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 24 May 2023
- **Record last updated:** 17 June 2026
- **Main product:** Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware from Barracuda
- **Affected products:** 5

## What is CVE-2023-2868? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### The official 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.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
- CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: No login needed
- Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything
- What an attacker gets: Can read data, change data and take it offline

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Is CVE-2023-2868 being exploited? Yes

Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 87%.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 87%, 87%, 87%, 87%, 87%, 87%, 87%.

### Timeline

- 24 May 2023: Published
- 17 June 2026: Record last updated

### How EdgeProtect ranks it

CVE-2023-2868 scores **89 out of 100 (Critical)**, with the action "Emergency patch".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: key context
- Real threat activity around it: key context

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2023-2868?

The published record lists 5 products.

- [Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/barracuda/email_security_gateway_300_firmware) by [Barracuda](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/barracuda) (Operating system): 5.1.3.001 to 9.2.0.006
- [Email Security Gateway 400 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/barracuda/email_security_gateway_400_firmware) by [Barracuda](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/barracuda) (Operating system): 5.1.3.001 to 9.2.0.006
- [Email Security Gateway 600 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/barracuda/email_security_gateway_600_firmware) by [Barracuda](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/barracuda) (Operating system): 5.1.3.001 to 9.2.0.006
- [Email Security Gateway 800 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/barracuda/email_security_gateway_800_firmware) by [Barracuda](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/barracuda) (Operating system): 5.1.3.001 to 9.2.0.006
- [Email Security Gateway 900 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/barracuda/email_security_gateway_900_firmware) by [Barracuda](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/barracuda) (Operating system): 5.1.3.001 to 9.2.0.006

## How do I fix CVE-2023-2868?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? EdgeProtect can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisories and patch notes first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Check it wasn’t used before you patched.** Because criminals are already using this flaw, look for signs of a break-in on affected systems using the vendor’s guidance.

### References

- [status.barracuda.com](https://status.barracuda.com/incidents/34kx82j5n4q9) (Vendor advisory)
- [barracuda.com](https://www.barracuda.com/company/legal/esg-vulnerability) (Mitigation, Vendor advisory)
- [cisa.gov](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-2868) (Government resource)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2023-2868?

CVE-2023-2868 is a critical-severity flaw in Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware from Barracuda, published on 24 May 2023. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### How serious is CVE-2023-2868?

It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is critical. Our risk score for CVE-2023-2868 is 89 out of 100, which is Critical. Its action is "Emergency patch". Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list.

### Is CVE-2023-2868 being exploited?

Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 87%.

### Which versions does CVE-2023-2868 affect?

For Email Security Gateway 300 Firmware from Barracuda: 5.1.3.001 to 9.2.0.006. The record lists 5 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2023-2868?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet. Because criminals are already using it, also check affected systems for signs of a break-in.

## Does CVE-2023-2868 affect you?

EdgeProtect keeps checking for you:

- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

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