CVE-2000-0985 in All-Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in All-Mail 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a long "MAIL FROM" or "RCPT TO" command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0985 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the All-Mail 1.1 email server software that exposes systems to remote command execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of email command sequences during the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) communication process, where the software fails to properly validate input lengths in the MAIL FROM and RCPT TO command parameters. The flaw occurs when an attacker sends a specially crafted email command containing an excessively long string in either the sender or recipient address fields, causing the application to overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can potentially be exploited to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected service process, typically resulting in complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory segments and potentially control program execution flow. The attack vector leverages the standard SMTP protocol communication patterns where email servers expect specific command formats and lengths, but All-Mail 1.1 fails to implement proper input sanitization mechanisms. When the vulnerable software processes these extended command parameters, the buffer overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures, enabling attackers to redirect program execution to malicious code payloads. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting remote code execution through protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running All-Mail 1.1 servers become vulnerable to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation by threat actors who can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for email infrastructure that may be exposed to the internet. The vulnerability affects email server configurations where the All-Mail software is deployed as the primary mail handling service, potentially compromising entire email domains and enabling attackers to send spam, conduct phishing campaigns, or establish command and control channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0985 should prioritize immediate patching of the All-Mail 1.1 software to address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable email servers to external networks and deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious SMTP command sequences. Network administrators should configure firewalls to restrict SMTP traffic to trusted sources and implement email filtering solutions that can detect and block malformed command parameters. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify all instances of the affected software and replacement with patched versions or alternative email server solutions that properly handle input validation. Additionally, security teams should establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated incident response protocols for handling potential compromise scenarios involving email server infrastructure.