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TI-2018-08438 Aliases CVE-2018-11781GHSA-qvvf-537j-pvg4

Apache SpamAssassin 3.4.2 fixes a local user code injection in the meta rule syntax.

Priority LOW 36CWE-94Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
Partial Red Hat: 4 fixed, 2 without a fix

Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-94.

Summary

Apache SpamAssassin 3.4.2 fixes a local user code injection in the meta rule syntax.

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.00984 62nd percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Apache SpamAssassin (Apache Software Foundation): 3.4.2Red Hat: 1 advisoryRed Hat: 4 fixed, 2 without a fix

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
ApacheApache SpamAssassinbefore 3.4.23.4.2Patch availableCNA
  • Apache SpamAssassin VendorApache Affected before 3.4.2 Fixed in 3.4.2 Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 10

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:apache:spamassassin:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*before 3.4.2VulnerableApache
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:*12.04VulnerableCanonical
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*14.04VulnerableCanonical
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*16.04VulnerableCanonical
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*18.04VulnerableCanonical
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*8.0VulnerableDebian
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.5VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
  • cpe:2.3:a:apache:spamassassin:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.4.2 Vulnerable ·Apache
  • cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* Versions 12.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
  • cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 14.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
  • cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 16.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
  • cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 18.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
  • cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
  • cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
  • cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
  • cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.5 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
  • cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA Apache SpamAssassin (Apache Software Foundation) Fixed in 3.4.2

Red Hat 1 advisory

  • RHSA-2018:2916 Released 2018-10-11 · Red Hat rating Important
    spamassassin security update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) spamassassin-3.4.0-4.el7_5
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) spamassassin-3.4.0-4.el7_5
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) spamassassin-3.4.0-4.el7_5
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) spamassassin-3.4.0-4.el7_5

Fixed in the same release

Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.

  • Advisory ·

    Apache SpamAssassin — USN-3811-1

    3 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 2 LOW

    Other records, highest priority first

    • TI-2018-08437 A potential Remote Code Execution bug exists with the PDFInfo plugin in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2.Priority MEDIUM 55
    • TI-2017-11478 Improper input validation in Apache SpamAssassinPriority LOW 35
    Show all 3 records → Advisory →
  • Advisory ·

    Apache SpamAssassin — RHSA-2018:2916

    2 records Highest priority Priority LOW 2 LOW

    Other records, highest priority first

    • TI-2017-11478 Improper input validation in Apache SpamAssassinPriority LOW 35
    Show all 2 records → Advisory →
Show 1 more group
  • Advisory ·

    Apache SpamAssassin — USN-3811-3

    2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW

    Other records, highest priority first

    • TI-2018-08437 A potential Remote Code Execution bug exists with the PDFInfo plugin in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2.Priority MEDIUM 55
    Show all 2 records → Advisory →

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →

ProductStatusPlan or fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5AffectedNo fix planned: Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6AffectedNo fix planned: Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:2916
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:2916
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:2916
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:2916
Not affected: 1 product
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-11781
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-qvvf-537j-pvg4

References

Advisory 6

Other 1

  • TI-2006-02383 SpamAssassin before 3.1.3, when running with vpopmail and the paranoid (-P) switch… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 5.1
  • TI-2018-08437 A potential Remote Code Execution bug exists with the PDFInfo plugin in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. CVSS 3.0CRITICAL 9.8
  • TI-2020-01870 Apache SpamAssassin has an OS Command Injection vulnerability CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
  • TI-2020-01855 OS command injection in Apache SpamAssassin CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
  • TI-2020-01854 OS command injection in Apache SpamAssassin CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
  • TI-2019-09265 Uncontrolled resource consumption in Apache SpamAssassin CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
See all 12 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences