Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessObtain shell as zimbra on MTA node
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DeliveryPoint Postfix daemon_directory at zimbra-writable path
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ExploitInvoke sudo postfix set-permissions with malicious post-install
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ExecutionPostfix runs attacker program as root
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ImpactFull root compromise of host
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V13 - Configuration Permission assignment review
|
| Exploitation Conditions | Requires pre-existing local command execution as the Unix 'zimbra' account on a Zimbra MTA node (PR:L, AV:L). The condition is the default ZCS sudo policy that permits passwordless root execution of Postfix administration commands without restricting their arguments, combined with the Postfix configuration directory being writable by zimbra. Concretely, the attacker selects a zimbra-controlled daemon_directory in the Postfix configuration and invokes 'postfix set-permissions', which causes Postfix to run the attacker's post-install program as root; the description notes that restricting postconf alone does not remove this execution path. Limiting factors: no remote or unauthenticated path exists, exploitation is confined to MTA nodes running the affected ZCS MTA package, and an attacker must already hold zimbra-level execution - making this an escalation/chaining primitive rather than an initial-access vector. |
| Impact | This is a genuine, high-priority local privilege escalation rather than an inflated high-CVSS score, but its risk is gated by a real prerequisite. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, 7.8) accurately frames it: exploitation is local, low-complexity, and requires existing low privileges - specifically code execution as the Unix 'zimbra' account - and yields full root compromise (C:H/I:H/A:H). The vuln.today decision label is 'this_week', consistent with a reliable local-to-root chain on widely deployed mail infrastructure. No CISA KEV listing and no EPSS score were provided, so there is no signal of active or widespread exploitation; EPSS absence is expected for a local-only PE flaw since EPSS models remote mass exploitation. The flaw was reported by Rapid7, whose public technical write-up describes the complete exploitation path, which materially raises practical risk even though the input does not mark a confirmed working exploit. The key limiting factor - needing an initial foothold as zimbra on an MTA node - means this is primarily a post-compromise escalation and chaining primitive (e.g., paired with a web/RCE bug in ZCS) rather than an internet-facing entry point. SSVC-style reasoning: technical impact is total (root), but exploitation is not shown as automatable and no active-exploitation signal is present, so prioritize for prompt patching without treating it as an active-incident emergency. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker who has already obtained command execution as the zimbra service account on a Zimbra MTA node (for example via a prior web-application flaw or a stolen credential) abuses the overly permissive sudo policy. Because the Postfix config directory is zimbra-writable, the attacker sets a zimbra-controlled daemon_directory and runs the passwordless-sudo-permitted 'postfix set-permissions' command, causing Postfix to execute an attacker-supplied post-install program as root. Rapid7 has published a detailed technical analysis of this chain, though the input does not confirm packaged, verified working exploit code. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Oct 23, 2026
The Zimbra Collaboration Suite MTA package lets the Unix zimbra account escalate to root: the installed sudo policy permits passwordless root execution of Postfix administration commands without constraining their arguments, and since the zimbra user controls the daemon_directory setting and can write the Postfix configuration directory, invoking 'postfix set-permissions' makes Postfix run an attacker-supplied post-install program as root. Rated CVSS 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N, C/I/A:H), it is strictly a local escalation primitive - an attacker must already have command execution as zimbra on an MTA node, so no remote or unauthenticated path exists, and exploitation is confined to MTA nodes running the affected package. No public exploit code and no confirmed active exploitation were identified at time of analysis; the priority label is 'this_week', reflecting a genuine high-impact chaining primitive whose risk is gated by the local prerequisite.
RemediationAI
No vendor-released fixed build is identified in the available data for the affected 10.1.16 and 10.1.21 releases, so confirm the current patched ZCS MTA version and upgrade path on the Zimbra security advisories page (https://wiki.zimbra.com/wiki/Zimbra_Security_Advisories) before assuming any build is remediated. Where an immediate upgrade is not possible, the execution path has two limbs and both must be closed: tighten the shipped sudoers policy so the zimbra account no longer gets passwordless root execution of Postfix administration commands with unconstrained arguments (replace wildcard/argument-free entries with fixed-argument, command-specific rules, accepting that legitimate ZCS Postfix administration by zimbra will then need explicit allowlisting), and remove zimbra write access to the Postfix configuration directory so daemon_directory and related settings cannot be repointed at attacker-controlled content - note that restricting postconf alone does not remove the execution path, because the writable configuration directory provides an independent route. Since exploitation requires pre-existing command execution as zimbra on an MTA node, treat zimbra-level access on MTA hosts as root-equivalent until patched and audit for sudo/postfix invocations and unexpected daemon_directory or post-install artifacts in the Postfix configuration tree.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
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Technical ContextAI · show details
The root cause class is CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource), realized twice over in the ZCS MTA deployment: the shipped sudoers policy grants the zimbra account passwordless root execution of Postfix administration commands but does not restrict their arguments, and the Postfix configuration directory itself is writable by zimbra. Postfix's 'set-permissions' subcommand resolves the daemon_directory from configuration and executes the corresponding post-install program in that directory as root - an intentional design behavior that becomes an escalation path once an unprivileged local user can both drive the command through sudo and rewrite the configuration it reads. Because the attacker can set daemon_directory to a zimbra-controlled path and point it at their own post-install executable, the vulnerability is not fixed by restricting postconf alone: the configuration directory write access remains a second, independent route to the same execution path. Privileges required are low (PR:L) and the attack vector is local (AV:L), with no user interaction; the assessed vector is identical to the published CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The CPE cpe:2.3:a:zimbra:zimbra_collaboration_suite:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* matches the affected product family, and EUVD lists affected versions as Zimbra Collaboration Suite up to and including 10.1.21. The mechanism is documented in Rapid7's research write-up on breaking Zimbra identity boundaries alongside the vendor security advisory wiki.
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Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Requires existing local execution as the zimbra account (AV:L, PR:L), uses a reliable low-complexity sudo/config path (AC:L), and grants full root, so C/I/A are all High.
Primary rating from Vendor (rapid7).
CVSS VectorVendor: rapid7
DescriptionCVE.org
A local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) MTA package allows the Unix zimbra account to execute arbitrary commands as root. The installed sudo policy permits passwordless root execution of Postfix administration commands without restricting their arguments. An attacker can select a zimbra-controlled daemon_directory in the Postfix configuration and invoke postfix set-permissions, causing Postfix to execute the attacker's post-install program as root. The Postfix configuration directory is also writable by zimbra, so restricting postconf alone does not remove the execution path. Exploitation requires local command execution as zimbra on an MTA node. ZCS 10.1.16 and 10.1.21 are affected.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-50057 is a high-severity local privilege escalation flaw in Zimbra Collaboration Suite's MTA package that allows an attacker with existing access to the zimbra Unix account to gain root control. This impacts MTA nodes only and requires prior compromise of the zimbra service account; if successful, an attacker could fully compromise mail infrastructure, leading to data breach, service disruption, and compliance violations. Leadership should prioritize remediation because mail systems are critical to business operations and contain sensitive communications.
No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigations include: restricting sudo access for the zimbra account, particularly for postfix commands; securing the postfix configuration directory with strict permissions; monitoring for anomalous local privilege escalation attempts; and isolating MTA nodes to reduce attack surface.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.
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EUVD-2026-108981
GHSA-h6p2-5x3j-hpj8
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
Exploit-DB