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CVE Record

CVE-2022-30550: An issue was discovered in the auth component in Dovecot 2.2 and 2.3 before 2.3.20.

An issue was discovered in the auth component in Dovecot 2.2 and 2.3 before 2.3.20. When two passdb configuration entries exist with the same driver and args settings, incorrect username_filter and mechanism settings can be applied to passdb definitions. These incorrectly applied settings can lead to an unintended security configuration and can permit privilege escalation in certain configurations. The documentation does not advise against the use of passdb definitions that have the same driver and args settings. One such configuration would be where an administrator wishes to use the same PAM configuration or passwd file for both normal and master users but use the username_filter setting to restrict which of the users is able to be a master user.

HighCVSS 8.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This affects Dovecot mail servers using vulnerable 2.2 or 2.3 releases before 2.3.20. A configuration parsing issue can apply authentication restrictions to the wrong passdb entry, potentially letting a lower-privileged authenticated user gain unintended access in specific setups.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority for organizations running Dovecot mail authentication. The risk is configuration-dependent, but affected setups can allow privilege escalation in a core email access path.

Technical view

In Dovecot auth, duplicate passdb entries with identical driver and args can receive incorrect username_filter and mechanism settings. Configurations sharing the same PAM setup or passwd file for normal and master users are specifically called out as risky.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Dovecot 2.2 or 2.3 before 2.3.20, especially where passdb entries reuse the same driver and args while relying on username_filter or mechanism separation.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show KEV listing or active exploitation. CVSS indicates network reachability, low attack complexity, low privileges required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact in affected configurations.

Researcher notes

The bundle lacks precise CPEs and does not list CWEs. Focus validation on Dovecot auth configuration, duplicate passdb definitions, and master-user separation assumptions rather than assuming every installation is exploitable.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Dovecot to 2.3.20 or later.
  • Apply fixed Dovecot packages from your operating system vendor.
  • Review passdb entries for duplicate driver and args settings.
  • Avoid relying on affected username_filter separation until patched.
  • Check Dovecot, Debian, and Gentoo advisories for package-specific guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory all Dovecot versions across mail infrastructure.
  • Confirm vulnerable hosts are below Dovecot 2.3.20.
  • Inspect passdb definitions for identical driver and args values.
  • Check whether username_filter or mechanism controls master-user access.
  • Verify patched package versions after remediation.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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.

description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-30550 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-30550Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.