Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Micro Focus Secure Messaging Gateway before version 471 has a critical unauthenticated SQL injection in web administration and quarantine functions. An attacker reachable over the network could manipulate the database, including creating an administrative account. Public exploit material exists, and the flaw can be combined with CVE-2018-12465 for unauthenticated remote code execution.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation immediately for any internet-facing or broadly reachable Secure Messaging Gateway before version 471. The issue enables unauthenticated database control and may lead to full remote code execution when paired with another cited flaw.
Technical view
CVE-2018-12464 is CWE-89 SQL injection with CVSS 10.0: network-accessible, low complexity, no authentication, no user interaction, scope changed, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Sources identify affected Secure Messaging Gateway versions prior to 471; GWAVA 6.5-branded earlier product versions are stated as not affected.
Likely exposure
Organizations are exposed if they still run Micro Focus Secure Messaging Gateway before version 471, especially where web administration or quarantine interfaces are reachable from untrusted networks. The source bundle does not identify specific CPEs or deployment prevalence.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the supplied bundle, so active exploitation is not established here. However, Exploit-DB and a public research write-up are cited, so defenders should treat exploit knowledge as public while avoiding assumptions about current campaign activity.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports critical SQL injection in Secure Messaging Gateway before 471, unauthenticated database statement execution, administrative account creation, and chaining with CVE-2018-12465. The bundle does not prove active exploitation, identify exact vulnerable builds beyond pre-471, or provide CPE coverage.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Secure Messaging Gateway to version 471 or later per vendor guidance.
- Review the Micro Focus advisory for supported remediation and upgrade details.
- Restrict access to web administration and quarantine interfaces to trusted management networks.
- Assess whether CVE-2018-12465 is also present and remediate together.
- Monitor for unexpected administrative accounts and database changes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all Secure Messaging Gateway installations and record exact versions.
- Confirm exposed web administration and quarantine interfaces are not running pre-471 versions.
- Verify GWAVA 6.5 systems are not misclassified as affected Secure Messaging Gateway deployments.
- Review administrative user history for unexpected account creation.
- Check database and application logs for anomalous SQL-related errors or changes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-89: Database access and collection lookup
Injection into data stores can inform collection, data access, and exfiltration detection reviews. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-12464 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 10 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H3.96Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
10CriticalVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 45083CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- https://support.microfocus.com/kb/doc.php?id=7023132CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://pentest.blog/unexpected-journey-6-all-ways-lead-to-rome-remote-code-execution-on-microfocus-secure-messaging-gateway/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.