Sendmail SMTP EHLO memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Sendmail. The affected element is an unknown function of the component SMTP EHLO Handler. Performing a manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-1999-0098. Moreover, an exploit is present. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Sendmail (Mail Server Software) (version now known). This affects some unknown processing of the component SMTP EHLO Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

buffer overflow in smtp helo command in sendmail allows a remote attacker to hide activities.

The weakness was disclosed 04/01/1998 with Shell. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-1999-0098. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

A public exploit has been developed in ANSI C. The exploit is shared for download at securityfocus.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 10260 (Multiple MTA HELO Command Remote Overflow), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family SMTP problems and running in the context r. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 74061 (Sendmail SMTP HELO Buffer Overflow Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (886), Tenable (10260), SecurityFocus (BID 49431†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-1333†). The entries VDB-14050, VDB-14110 and VDB-14116 are pretty similar. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.0

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Programming Language: 🔍
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 10260
Nessus Name: Multiple MTA HELO Command Remote Overflow
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

01/01/1997 🔍
04/01/1998 +455 days 🔍
04/01/1998 +0 days 🔍
04/01/1998 +0 days 🔍
08/18/1999 +504 days 🔍
06/27/2003 +1409 days 🔍
06/18/2014 +4009 days 🔍
10/27/2025 +4149 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Organization: Shell
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0098 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0098
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14097
X-Force: 886
SecurityFocus: 49431 - Sendmail SMTP HELO Argument Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 1333 - Buffer Overflow in Sendmail HELO Command Allows Sending Anonymous Mails, Critical

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/19/2014 00:17
Updated: 10/27/2025 20:00
Changes: 06/19/2014 00:17 (66), 05/10/2019 12:59 (4), 10/27/2025 20:00 (19)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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