* [Blog](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog)
* [Security Operations](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/)
* [Must-Read Articles](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/)
* Barracuda Networks Has a ...

# Barracuda Networks Has a Predator that Can't be Patched

[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fbarracuda-networks-has-a-predator-that-cant-be-patched%2F)  
[](https://twitter.com/share?text=Barracuda+Networks+Has+a+Predator+that+Can%E2%80%99t+be+Patched&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fbarracuda-networks-has-a-predator-that-cant-be-patched%2F)  
[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fbarracuda-networks-has-a-predator-that-cant-be-patched%2F&title=Barracuda+Networks+Has+a+Predator+that+Can%E2%80%99t+be+Patched&summary=&source=)  
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/barracuda-networks-has-a-predator-that-cant-be-patched/&ts=markdown)  
\[\](mailto:?subject=Barracuda Networks Has a Predator that Can’t be Patched)  
Link copied  
By [Giuliana Sturma](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/giuliana-sturma/?ts=markdown "Posts by Giuliana Sturma")  
Jun 12, 2023  
3 minutes  
[Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown)  
[News and Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/news-and-events/?ts=markdown)  
[ASM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/asm/?ts=markdown)  
[Attack Surface Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/attack-surface-management/?ts=markdown)  
[Email Security Gateway](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/email-security-gateway/?ts=markdown)  
[Emerging Threats](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/emerging-threats/?ts=markdown)  
[Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/incident-response/?ts=markdown)  
[malware](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/malware/?ts=markdown)  
[Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/xpanse/?ts=markdown)  
[Zero Day Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/zero-day-vulnerability/?ts=markdown)

On May 19, network security vendor Barracuda Networks identified a vulnerability ([CVE-2023-2868](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2868)) in their email security gateway (ESG) device and on May 20, pushed patches to the flaw for all affected appliances. In its advisory, Barracuda said the vulnerability existed in the software component that scans email attachments for malware. More alarmingly, the devices appear to have been exploited as early as October 2022 with a malware strain granting persistent backdoor access.

In an unexpected turn of events, on June 6, Barracuda began urging customers to fully decommission and replace affected ESG devices. "Impacted ESG appliances must be immediately replaced regardless of patch version level," the company's [advisory](https://www.barracuda.com/company/legal/esg-vulnerability) warned. "Barracuda's recommendation at this time is full replacement of the impacted ESG."

Barracuda's guidance to *replace* devices, not just patch them, caught the attention of security professionals worldwide: "I can only remember a handful of times where the fix was just to replace it,'" said Chris Tillett, senior engineer at Palo Alto Networks, who has been in the industry for 30 years. "It is very rare that a company can't patch a vulnerability and recommends replacing it with a new device," added Ali Islam, director of engineering at Palo Alto Networks.

If an attacker gains access to an exposed ESG, they can potentially intercept, read, and modify emails, bypass security filters, inject malware or phishing links, steal sensitive data, disrupt email services, and compromise the organization's overall email security and communication integrity. The ramifications of such an attack are endless and you will want to investigate immediately. An attack surface management tool can help.

Cortex Xpanse helps respond to zero day vulnerabilities through continuous monitoring and alerting of exposures that allow an organization to quickly react to discovered threats and proactively manage risk. In the case of ESG devices, Xpanse can identify a device that is deployed as a physical or virtual appliance, or in a public cloud environment like AWS or Microsoft Azure, and attribute with high confidence if that device belongs to an organization or one of its global subsidiaries.
![Figure 1: An attack surface rule for the Barracuda Email Security Gateway is used to identify risks in an attack surface.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/word-image-296096-1.png)
Figure 1: An attack surface rule for the Barracuda Email Security Gateway is used to identify risks in an attack surface.

SOC teams spend considerable time and money researching and responding to global threat events and zero-day exploits. The Threat Response Center in Expander simplifies and streamlines your response to vulnerabilities like this one by aggregating the most important information about the threat and its impact on your organization in one place.
![Figure 2: Information about CVE-2023-2868 is featured in a list of emergent and global threat events to quickly identify events that impact your organization.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/word-image-296096-2.png)
Figure 2: Information about CVE-2023-2868 is featured in a list of emergent and global threat events to quickly identify events that impact your organization.

Xpanse identified the Barracuda ESG threat event as a critical and high-risk vulnerability that allows threat actors direct access to assets, leading to widespread impact across corporate networks. Devices and applications impacted by such vulnerabilities are at risk of exploitation remotely over the public-facing internet. These threats often allow threat actors to gain remote control of systems. In the Threat Response Center, analysts can access alerts, incident reports, mitigation guidance, and more to triage their incident response workflow.

By providing actionable context, like asset and service owners, Xpanse ensures accountability and provides an automated response to deploy missing agents and scan unmanaged assets. Given the severity of this vulnerability, it is crucial for organizations to address this issue promptly to prevent potential breaches.

Check out [A Day in the Life of a Vulnerability Analyst](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay9J9b3KzDU) to learn more about Cortex Xpanse.

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [News and Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/news-and-events/?ts=markdown)

[#### What's New in Cortex: The Latest Innovations for the World's #1 SecOps Platform (Feb '25 Release)](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/whats-new-in-cortex-the-latest-innovations-for-the-worlds-1-secops-platform-feb-25-release/)

### [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [News and Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/news-and-events/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown)

[#### What's Next in Cortex: New Innovations for Security Operations](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/whats-next-in-cortex-new-innovations-for-security-operations/)

### [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown)

[#### What's New in Cortex](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/whats-new-in-cortex/)

### [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown)

[#### How Cortex Defends Against Microsoft SharePoint "ToolShell" Exploits](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/how-cortex-defends-against-microsoft-sharepoint-toolshell-exploits/)

### [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown)

[#### Defending against Phantom Taurus with Cortex](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/the-rise-of-phantom-taurus-unmasking-a-stealthy-new-threat-to-global-security-with-cortex/)

### [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown)

[#### Identify 60 Additional Server Protocols with Cortex Xpanse](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/identify-60-additional-server-protocols-with-cortex-xpanse/)

### Subscribe to Security Operations Blogs!

Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more.
![spinner](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up  
Please enter a valid email.  
By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.  
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply.  
{#footer} {#footer}

## Products and Services

* [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown)

* [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown)

* [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown)

* [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)

* [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown)

* [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown)

* [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown)

* [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown)

* [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown)

* [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown)

* [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)

* [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)

* [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)

* [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)

* [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)

* [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)

* [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown)

## Company

* [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown)
* [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/)
* [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown)
* [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown)
* [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown)
* [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown)
* [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown)

## Popular Links

* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown)
* [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown)
* [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown)
* [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)
* [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center)
* [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown)
* [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown)
* [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown)
* [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown)
* [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd)
  ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg)
* [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown)
* [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown)
* [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown)
* [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown)

Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved

* [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks)
* [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown)
* [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/)
* [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks)
* [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks)
* EN  
  Select your language