Description
Buffer overflow in Mutt 1.4.0 and possibly earlier versions, 1.5.x up to 1.5.3, and other programs that use Mutt code such as Balsa before 2.0.10, allows a remote malicious IMAP server to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted folder.
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 14 | mutt | 1.5.4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | mutt | 1.5.4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | mutt | 1.5.4-1 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | mutt | 1.3.28-2.1 | DSA-268 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-268 mutt - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- CLA-2003:626 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2003:109 vendor-advisory
- mutt-folder-name-bo(11583) vdb-entry
- 20030430 GLSA: balsa (200304-10) mailing-list
- 20030320 [OpenPKG-SA-2003.025] OpenPKG Security Advisory (mutt) mailing-list
- 20030322 GLSA: mutt (200303-19) mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:2 vdb-entry signature
- 20030320 CORE-20030304-02: Vulnerability in Mutt Mail User Agent mailing-list
- 7120 vdb-entry
- GLSA-200303-19 vendor-advisory
- 20030319 mutt-1.4.1 fixes a buffer overflow. mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:434 vdb-entry signature
- http://www.coresecurity.com/common/showdoc.php?idx=310&idxseccion=10
- DSA-268 vendor-advisory
- SuSE-SA:2003:020 vendor-advisory
- CLA-2003:630 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2003:041 vendor-advisory