Description
Format string vulnerability in imap4d server in GNU Mailutils 0.5 and 0.6, and other versions before 0.6.90, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in the command tag for IMAP commands.
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 | mailutils | 1:0.6.1-3 | — |
| Debian 13 | mailutils | 1:0.6.1-3 | — |
| Debian 12 | mailutils | 1:0.6.1-3 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | mailutils | 20020409-1woody2 | DSA-732-1 |
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
- GNU Mailutils imap4d 0.6 - Remote Format String EDB-1123 · remote · Aug 1, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-732-1 mailutils - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 1014052 vdb-entry
- 20050525 GNU Mailutils 0.6 imap4d Format String Vulnerability third-party-advisory
- 15442 third-party-advisory
- DSA-732 vendor-advisory
- 13764 vdb-entry