CVE-2019-15961 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An unauthenticated attacker could exploit a vulnerability in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) Software versions 0.102.0, 0.101.4, and earlier, causing a denial of service by manipulating email files.

Understanding CVE-2019-15961

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the email parsing module of Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) Software.

What is CVE-2019-15961?

The vulnerability allows remote unauthenticated attackers to trigger a denial of service on affected devices by sending specially crafted email files.

The Impact of CVE-2019-15961

CVSS Base Score: 7.5 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Availability Impact: High
No impact on Confidentiality or Integrity

Technical Details of CVE-2019-15961

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Inefficient MIME parsing routines lead to extended scan times for specific email file formats.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Versions: 0.102.0, 0.101.4, and earlier
Product: ClamAV
Vendor: ClamAV

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending manipulated email files to the target device.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-15961 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches promptly
Implement email filtering to block suspicious attachments
Monitor network traffic for any unusual patterns

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update ClamAV software to the latest version
Conduct security training for users on identifying phishing emails

Patching and Updates

Refer to vendor advisories for specific patch details and update instructions