Description
Dovecot before 1.0.11, when configured to use mail_extra_groups to allow Dovecot to create dotlocks in /var/mail, might allow local users to read sensitive mail files for other users, or modify files or directories that are writable by group, via a symlink attack.
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 | dovecot | 1:1.0.12-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | dovecot | 1:1.0.12-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | dovecot | 1:1.0.12-1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | dovecot | 1.0.rc15-2etch4 | DSA-1516-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | dovecot | 1.0.7-2.el5 | RHSA-2008:0297 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2008:0297 Red Hat Security Advisory: dovecot security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1516-1 dovecot - privilege escalation Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- GLSA-200803-25 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10739 vdb-entry signature
- [Dovecot-news] 20080504 v1.0.11 released mailing-list
- 29557 third-party-advisory
- 20080304 Dovecot mail_extra_groups setting is often used insecurely mailing-list
- 30342 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0297 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1516 vendor-advisory
- USN-593-1 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-2475 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2008:020 vendor-advisory
- 28092 vdb-entry
- 29226 third-party-advisory
- 32151 third-party-advisory
- 29385 third-party-advisory
- dovecot-mailextragroups-unauth-access(41009) vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2008-2464 vendor-advisory
- 29396 third-party-advisory