Exim EHLO/HELO Remote Heap Corruption Vulnerability

BID:8518

Info

Exim EHLO/HELO Remote Heap Corruption Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID: 8518
Class: Boundary Condition Error
CVE: CVE-2003-0743
Remote: Yes
Local: No
Published: Sep 01 2003 12:00AM
Updated: Jul 11 2009 11:56PM
Credit: The discovery of this vulnerability has been credited to Nick Cleaton <[email protected]>.
Vulnerable: University of Cambridge Exim 4.20
University of Cambridge Exim 4.10
University of Cambridge Exim 3.36
University of Cambridge Exim 3.35
+ Debian Linux 3.0 sparc
 + Debian Linux 3.0 s/390
 + Debian Linux 3.0 ppc
 + Debian Linux 3.0 mipsel
 + Debian Linux 3.0 mips
 + Debian Linux 3.0 m68k
 + Debian Linux 3.0 ia-64
 + Debian Linux 3.0 ia-32
 + Debian Linux 3.0 hppa
 + Debian Linux 3.0 arm
 + Debian Linux 3.0 alpha
 + Debian Linux 3.0
University of Cambridge Exim 3.34
University of Cambridge Exim 3.33
University of Cambridge Exim 3.32
University of Cambridge Exim 3.31
University of Cambridge Exim 3.30
University of Cambridge Exim 3.22
- Redhat PowerTools 7.1
University of Cambridge Exim 3.21
University of Cambridge Exim 3.20
University of Cambridge Exim 3.19
- Redhat PowerTools 7.0
University of Cambridge Exim 3.18
University of Cambridge Exim 3.17
University of Cambridge Exim 3.16
University of Cambridge Exim 3.15
University of Cambridge Exim 3.14
University of Cambridge Exim 3.13
- Redhat PowerTools 6.2
University of Cambridge Exim 3.12
+ Debian Linux 2.2 sparc
 + Debian Linux 2.2 powerpc
 + Debian Linux 2.2 IA-32
 + Debian Linux 2.2 arm
 + Debian Linux 2.2 alpha
 + Debian Linux 2.2 68k
 University of Cambridge Exim 3.11
University of Cambridge Exim 3.3 2
University of Cambridge Exim 3.3 1
University of Cambridge Exim 3.3
University of Cambridge Exim 3.0
Not Vulnerable: University of Cambridge Exim 4.21

Discussion

Exim EHLO/HELO Remote Heap Corruption Vulnerability

A heap corruption vulnerability has been discovered in Exim. The problem occurs due to insufficient bounds checking when handling user-supplied SMTP EHLO/HELO data. As a result, it may be possible to overrun the bounds of a heap memory buffer. Although it is believed to be unlikely, this could theoretically be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of Exim. It may also be possible to trigger a denial of service condition.

Exploit / POC

Exim EHLO/HELO Remote Heap Corruption Vulnerability

Currently we are not aware of any exploits for this issue. If you feel we are in error or are aware of more recent information, please mail us at: [email protected] &lt;mailto:[email protected]&gt;.

Solution / Fix

Exim EHLO/HELO Remote Heap Corruption Vulnerability

Solution:
This issue has been addressed in the latest version of Exim. Also, patches have been released to address this issue in Exim 3.36 and 4.20. The vendor has reported that these patches will likely work on earlier versions as well, however it has not yet been confirmed. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.

Debian has released an updated advisory (DSA 376-2) that addresses this issue. Previous packages to address this issue that were released by Debian were installed with incorrect permissions on documentation, users who are affected by this issue are advised to upgrade as soon as possible. Please see the referenced advisory for details on applying fixes.

Conectiva has released an advisory (CLA-2003:735) that addresses this issue. Please see the attached advisory for details on obtaining and applying fixes.

Gentoo has released advisory 200309-09 to address this issue. Affected users are advised to take the following action on affected systems:

emerge sync
emerge exim
emerge clean


University of Cambridge Exim 3.0

University of Cambridge Exim 3.11

University of Cambridge Exim 3.12

University of Cambridge Exim 3.13

University of Cambridge Exim 3.14

University of Cambridge Exim 3.15

University of Cambridge Exim 3.16

University of Cambridge Exim 3.17

University of Cambridge Exim 3.18

University of Cambridge Exim 3.19

University of Cambridge Exim 3.20

University of Cambridge Exim 3.21

University of Cambridge Exim 3.22

University of Cambridge Exim 3.3 1

University of Cambridge Exim 3.3

University of Cambridge Exim 3.3 2

University of Cambridge Exim 3.30

University of Cambridge Exim 3.31

University of Cambridge Exim 3.32

University of Cambridge Exim 3.33

University of Cambridge Exim 3.34

University of Cambridge Exim 3.35

University of Cambridge Exim 3.36

University of Cambridge Exim 4.10

University of Cambridge Exim 4.20

References

Exim EHLO/HELO Remote Heap Corruption Vulnerability

References:

© CVE.report 2026

Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. It is the responsibility of user to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content. EACH USER WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY consequences of his or her direct or indirect use of this web site. ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. This site will NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT or any other kind of loss.

CVE, CWE, and OVAL are registred trademarks of The MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CVE content is MITRE's CVE web site. This site includes MITRE data granted under the following license.

Free CVE JSON API cve.report/api

CVE.report and Source URL Uptime Status status.cve.report