CVE-2025-26794

Description

A flaw was found in Exim package. In affected versions of exim package when SQLite hints and ETRN serialization are used, it allows remote SQL injection.

Statement

The following conditions have to be met for being vulnerable:

  • Exim Version 4.98
  • Build time option USE_SQLITE is set (it enables the use of SQLite for the hints databases) -- check the output of exim -bV, whether it contains
    Hints DB:
  Using sqlite3
  • Runtime config enables ETRN (acl_smtp_etrn returns accept (defaults to deny))
  • Runtime config enforces ETRN serialization (smtp_etrn_serialize is set to true (defaults to true))

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

CWE-89

Confidentiality,Integrity,Availability

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands

Adversaries could execute system commands, typically by changing the SQL statement to redirect output to a file that can then be executed.

Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Read Application Data

Since SQL databases generally hold sensitive data, loss of confidentiality is a frequent problem with SQL injection vulnerabilities.

Authentication

Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity; Bypass Protection Mechanism

If poor SQL commands are used to check user names and passwords or perform other kinds of authentication, it may be possible to connect to the product as another user with no previous knowledge of the password.

Access Control

Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism

If authorization information is held in a SQL database, it may be possible to change this information through the successful exploitation of a SQL injection vulnerability.

Integrity

Technical Impact: Modify Application Data

Just as it may be possible to read sensitive information, it is also possible to modify or even delete this information with a SQL injection attack.

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