Description
A use-after-free in Exim 4.96 through 4.98.1 could allow users (with command-line access) to escalate privileges.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exim | Exim | 4.96 – < 4.98.2 | 4.98.2 |
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 | exim4 | 4.98.1-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | exim4 | 4.98.1-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | exim4 | 4.96-15+deb12u7 | DSA-5887-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | exim4 | 4.97-4ubuntu4.3 | USN-7373-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | exim | 4.98.2-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2025:14935-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | exim | 4.98.2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | exim | 4.98.2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | exim | 4.98.2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | exim | 4.98.2-r0 | — |
Advisories 4
- WID-SEC-2025-0645 Exim: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Privilegieneskalation BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Aug 13, 2026
- USN-7373-1 exim4 vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DSA-5887-1 exim4 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2025:14935-1 exim-4.98.2-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026