Description
The mlfi_envrcpt function in spamass-milter.cpp in SpamAssassin Milter Plugin 0.3.1, when using the expand option, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands via shell metacharacters in the RCPT TO field of an email message.
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 | spamass-milter | 0.3.1-9 | — |
| Debian 13 | spamass-milter | 0.3.1-9 | — |
| Debian 12 | spamass-milter | 0.3.1-9 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | spamass-milter | 0.3.1-8+lenny1 | DSA-2021-2, DSA-2021-1 |
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
- Apache SpamAssassin Milter Plugin 0.3.1 - Remote Command Execution EDB-11662 · remote · Mar 9, 2010 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- DSA-2021-1 spamass-milter - remote command execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-2021-2 spamass-milter - regression fix Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- ADV-2010-0559 vdb-entry
- 20100307 Spamassassin Milter Plugin Remote Root mailing-list
- ADV-2010-0683 vdb-entry
- 39265 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2010-0837 vdb-entry
- 38578 vdb-entry
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=572117
- DSA-2021 vendor-advisory
- https://savannah.nongnu.org/bugs/?29136
- 11662 exploit
- http://bugs.debian.org/573228
- FEDORA-2010-5096 vendor-advisory
- 1023691 vdb-entry
- 62809 vdb-entry
- spamassassin-expand-command-execution(56732) vdb-entry
- 38956 third-party-advisory
- 38840 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2010-5112 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2010-5176 vendor-advisory