How severe is CVE-2012-3523?

CVE-2012-3523 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2012-3523 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (87th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-3523?

CVE-2012-3523 primarily affects Isc Inn. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-3523?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2012-3523 published?

CVE-2012-3523 was published on 2012-11-11 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-3523

CVE-2012-3523 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Isc Inn with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-264.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 6.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (87th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Isc Inn
Published: 2012-11-11
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The STARTTLS implementation in nnrpd in INN before 2.5.3 does not properly restrict I/O buffering, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to insert commands into encrypted sessions by sending a cleartext command that is processed after TLS is in place, related to a "plaintext command injection" attack, a similar issue to CVE-2011-0411.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-3523?: The STARTTLS implementation in nnrpd in INN before 2.5.3 does not properly restrict I/O buffering, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to insert commands into encrypted sessions by sending a cleartext command that is processed after TLS is in place, related to a "plaintext command injection" attack, a similar issue to CVE-2011-0411.
How severe is CVE-2012-3523?: CVE-2012-3523 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2012-3523 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (87th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-3523?: CVE-2012-3523 primarily affects Isc Inn. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-3523?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2012-3523 published?: CVE-2012-3523 was published on 2012-11-11 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (17)

cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.4sec:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.4sec2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.4unoff3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.4unoff4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:1.7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:2.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:2.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:2.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:isc:inn:2.4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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