Description
Format string vulnerability in search.c in the imap4d server in GNU Mailutils 0.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in the SEARCH command.
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 ↗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 3
- GNU Mailutils imap4d 0.6 - exec-shield Remote Format String EDB-3787 · remote · Apr 24, 2007 · verified
- GNU Mailutils imap4d 0.6 (FreeBSD) - 'Search' Remote Format String EDB-1234 · remote · Sep 26, 2005 · verified
- GNU Mailutils imap4d 0.6 - 'Search' Remote Format String EDB-1209 · remote · Sep 10, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- DSA-841-1 mailutils - format string vulnerability Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DTSA-20-1 mailutils - Format string vulnerability Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://savannah.gnu.org/patch/index.php?func=detailitem&item_id=4407
- 17020 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200509-10 vendor-advisory
- 16783 third-party-advisory
- 20050909 GNU Mailutils 0.6 imap4d 'search' Format String Vulnerability third-party-advisory
- http://www.rosiello.org/archivio/imap4d_FreeBSD_exploit.c
- DSA-841 vendor-advisory
- 20050926 FreeBSD GNU Mailutils 0.6 imap4d exploit mailing-list
- 14794 vdb-entry