Description
commands.c in qmail, when running on 64 bit platforms with a large amount of virtual memory, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long SMTP command without a space character, which causes an array to be referenced with a negative index.
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 10 | netqmail | 1.06-6.2~deb10u1 | DSA-4692-1 |
| Debian 9 | netqmail | 1.06-6.2~deb9u1 | DSA-4692-1 |
| Debian 8 | netqmail | 1.06-6.2~deb8u1 | DLA-2234-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | netqmail | 1.06-6.2~deb10u1build0.20.04.1 | USN-4556-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | netqmail | 1.06-6.2~deb10u1build0.18.04.1 | USN-4621-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | netqmail | 1.06-6.2~deb10u1build0.16.04.1 | USN-4621-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | netqmail | 1.06-6.2~deb10u1build0.14.04.1+esm1 | — |
Advisories 4
- DSA-4692-1 netqmail - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-2234-1 netqmail - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-4621-1 netqmail vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-4556-1 netqmail vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
References
- 20050506 64 bit qmail fun mailing-list
- http://www.guninski.com/where_do_you_want_billg_to_go_today_4.html
- 1013911 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20200519 Remote Code Execution in qmail (CVE-2005-1513) mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20200520 Re: Remote Code Execution in qmail (CVE-2005-1513) mailing-list
- 20200522 Remote Code Execution in qmail (CVE-2005-1513) mailing-list
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157805/Qualys-Security-Advisory-Qmail-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- DSA-4692 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20200604 [SECURITY] [DLA 2234-1] netqmail security update mailing-list
- GLSA-202007-01 vendor-advisory
- USN-4556-1 vendor-advisory