Description
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Mailman before 2.0.12 allows remote attackers to execute script as other users via a subscriber's list subscription options in the (1) adminpw or (2) info parameters to the ml-name feature.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 3.0 | mailman | 2.0.11-1woody4 | DSA-147 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 2
- GNU Mailman 2.0.x - Subscribe Cross-Site Scripting EDB-21641 · remote · Jul 24, 2002 · verified
- GNU Mailman 2.0.x - Admin Login Variant Cross-Site Scripting EDB-21642 · remote · Jul 24, 2002 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-147 mailman - cross-site scripting Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 20020724 cross-site scripting bug of Mailman mailing-list
- http://mail.python.org/pipermail/mailman-announce/2002-July/000043.html
- RHSA-2002:177 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2002:178 vendor-advisory
- DSA-147 vendor-advisory
- 5298 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2002:181 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2002:176 vendor-advisory
- mailman-subscription-option-xss(9985) vdb-entry
- CLA-2002:522 vendor-advisory