Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Kaspersky Secure Mail Gateway 1.1 had a configuration file injection flaw that could lead to code execution as root. That is a serious appliance-level impact, but the provided sources do not include CVSS, attack prerequisites, or evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority if Kaspersky Secure Mail Gateway 1.1 is present. Root-level code execution on a mail security gateway could compromise email security controls, but urgency should be calibrated against actual deployment and vendor remediation status.
Technical view
CVE-2018-6289 describes configuration file injection in Kaspersky Secure Mail Gateway version 1.1, leading to root-level code execution. The bundle does not identify CWE, CVSS, exact vulnerable interface, authentication requirements, or safe reproduction details.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations running Kaspersky Secure Mail Gateway 1.1. Risk depends on whether the vulnerable configuration path is reachable and who can access it; the provided sources do not specify network exposure or authentication conditions.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the bundle, and no cited source here states active exploitation. Core Security published advisory coverage, but the provided bundle does not include exploit status beyond the vulnerability description.
Researcher notes
The public bundle is sparse: no CVSS vector, CWE, detailed attack path, or authentication requirements are provided. Analysis should stay anchored to Kaspersky and Core Security advisories and avoid assuming affected versions beyond 1.1.
Mitigation direction
- Identify any Kaspersky Secure Mail Gateway 1.1 deployments.
- Review Kaspersky’s advisory for fixed versions or official remediation.
- If still running version 1.1, plan urgent upgrade or replacement.
- Restrict access to administrative and configuration interfaces.
- Monitor appliance logs for unexpected configuration changes or privileged execution.
Validation and detection
- Inventory mail gateway assets and confirm product version.
- Compare findings against the Kaspersky advisory scope.
- Check whether configuration interfaces are exposed beyond trusted administrators.
- Review recent changes to gateway configuration files.
- Look for root-level process activity inconsistent with normal appliance operation.
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.
Execution 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 lookupCVE-2018-6289 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
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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 and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.kaspersky.com/vulnerability.aspx?el=12430#010218CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://www.coresecurity.com/advisories/kaspersky-secure-mail-gateway-multiple-vulnerabilitiesCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
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.