A vulnerability in the content scanning and message filtering features of Cisco Secure…
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
A vulnerability in the content scanning and message filtering features of Cisco Secure Email Gateway could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability is due to improper handling of email attachments when file analysis and content filters are enabled. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending an email that contains a crafted attachment through an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to replace any file on the underlying file system. The attacker could then perform any of the following actions: add users with root privileges, modify the device configuration, execute arbitrary code, or cause a permanent denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected device. Note: Manual intervention is required to recover from the DoS condition. Customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to help recover a device in this condition.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2024-20401
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-4rcj-fmjg-q9fv
References
Advisory 1
More Cisco Secure Email Gateway vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-14453 Cisco ESA mail Bypass CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.8
- TI-2023-06827 Cross-site scripting in Cisco Web Security Appliance CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.1
- TI-2023-06826 Cross-site scripting in Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.1
- TI-2023-06737 Cross-site scripting in Cisco Web Security Appliance CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.4
Sources
- CVE-2024-20401 · CVE Program
- CVE-2024-20401 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-4rcj-fmjg-q9fv · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences