Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in sendmail in XMail before 1.22 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long -t command line option.
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 3.1 | xmail | 1.21-3sarge1 | DSA-902-1 |
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
- XMail 1.21 - '-t' Command Line Option Local Buffer Overflow / Local Privilege Escalation EDB-1267 · local · Oct 20, 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-902-1 xmail - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- DSA-902 vendor-advisory
- 20051013 Multiple Vendor XMail 'sendmail' Recipient Buffer Overflow Vulnerability third-party-advisory
- 15103 vdb-entry
- xmail-addressfromatptr-bo(22724) vdb-entry
- GLSA-200512-05 vendor-advisory
- 18052 third-party-advisory
- http://www.xmailserver.org/ChangeLog.html#oct_12__2005_v_1_22
- 81 third-party-advisory
- 20010 vdb-entry
- 1015055 vdb-entry
- 17637 third-party-advisory
- 17194 third-party-advisory