CVE-2002-1075 in Pegasus Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Pegasus mail client 4.01 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via long (1) To or (2) From headers.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1075 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the Pegasus mail client version 4.01 and earlier releases. This security defect resides within the email client's handling of message headers, specifically targeting the To and From header fields that are commonly used in email communication protocols. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes email messages containing excessively long header values without proper bounds checking, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the application's memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Pegasus mail client's parsing routines. When the software encounters email messages with To or From headers exceeding predetermined buffer limits, the application fails to properly terminate or truncate the input data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, and in some cases, the execution of arbitrary code within the context of the user running the affected mail client. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers stack-based buffer overflow scenarios that may be exploited for code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on the Pegasus mail client for email communications. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious email messages containing overly long To or From header values to remotely compromise systems running vulnerable versions of the software. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code on target systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of email communication and can be exploited in various attack scenarios including spear-phishing campaigns, where attackers might use the vulnerability to deliver malware payloads through seemingly legitimate email communications.
The exploitation of CVE-2002-1075 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution phases. Attackers can use this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain to establish a foothold within target networks, potentially moving laterally once initial compromise is achieved. Organizations should consider implementing network-based protections such as email filtering solutions that can detect and block malformed email headers, as well as ensuring that all systems running Pegasus mail client are updated to patched versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in software development, emphasizing the need for defensive programming techniques that prevent buffer overflow conditions through proper bounds checking and secure coding practices. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through vendor patches and consider implementing additional security controls such as email content filtering and network segmentation to limit potential impact from similar vulnerabilities.