Description
Buffer overflow in Mutt 1.4.2 might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via "&" characters in the GECOS field, which triggers the overflow during alias expansion.
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 | mutt | 1.5.15+20070608-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | mutt | 1.5.15+20070608-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | mutt | 1.5.15+20070608-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | mutt | 5:1.4.2.2-3.0.2.el5 | RHSA-2007:0386 |
| RHEL 4 | mutt | 5:1.4.1-12.0.3.el4 | RHSA-2007:0386 |
| RHEL 3 | mutt | 5:1.4.1-5.el3 | RHSA-2007:0386 |
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
- Mutt 1.4.2 - Mutt_Gecos_Name Function Local Buffer Overflow EDB-30093 · local · May 28, 2007 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2007:0386 Red Hat Security Advisory: mutt security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- 25529 third-party-advisory
- 1018066 vdb-entry
- 2007-0024 vendor-advisory
- 26415 third-party-advisory
- http://dev.mutt.org/trac/ticket/2885
- 25408 third-party-advisory
- 34973 vdb-entry
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=239890
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10543 vdb-entry signature
- 25546 third-party-advisory
- 25515 third-party-advisory
- mutt-gecos-bo(34441) vdb-entry
- MDKSA-2007:113 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2007:0386 vendor-advisory
- 24192 vdb-entry
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-1391