Description
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in Metamail 2.7 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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 | metamail | 2.7-45woody.2 | DSA-449 |
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 1
- Metamail 2.7 - Multiple Buffer Overflow / Format String Handling Vulnerabilities EDB-23728 · remote · Feb 18, 2004 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-449 metamail - buffer overflow, format string bugs Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- metamail-printheader-format-string(15259) vdb-entry
- DSA-449 vendor-advisory
- SSA:2004-049 vendor-advisory
- O-083 third-party-advisory government-resource
- 9692 vdb-entry
- 10908 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2004:014 vendor-advisory
- metamail-contenttype-format-string(15245) vdb-entry
- RHSA-2004:073 vendor-advisory
- 20040218 metamail format string bugs and buffer overflows mailing-list
- VU#518518 third-party-advisory
- 20040218 metamail format string bugs and buffer overflows mailing-list