Experts Demonstrate Barracuda Email Security Gateway Chain Enabling Root Access Without Login
thehackernews.com Nov 6, 2026

Experts Demonstrate Barracuda Email Security Gateway Chain Enabling Root Access Without Login

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Security researchers disclosed a two‑stage attack against Barracuda’s Email Security Gateway appliance that grants unauthenticated attackers root privileges without logging in. The chain combines CVE‑2026‑116606, an authorization bypass that lets a remote user restore a crafted configuration backup and alter global settings, with CVE‑2026‑111560, a command‑injection flaw that normally requires an admin account but is enabled by the bypass. Together they allow arbitrary root‑level commands on the gateway. Barracuda issued firmware patches on Monday, fixing the gateway in version 9.4.0.030 and updating five related products for the injection issue. Mandiant rated the bypass 9.3/10 and the injection 8.6/10. WatchTowr released a detection tool but no public exploit, and the vulnerabilities are not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog as of today.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The exploit proves that even well‑protected email gateways can be compromised without credentials, forcing organizations to reassess firmware update policies and validation of backup mechanisms.