KDE KMail 1.0 PGP information disclosure

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in KDE KMail 1.0. It has been rated as problematic. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component PGP Handler. Performing a manipulation results in information disclosure. This vulnerability is known as CVE-1999-1270. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in KDE KMail 1.0 (Mail Client Software). This affects an unknown function of the component PGP Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a information disclosure vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-200. The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

KMail in KDE 1.0 provides a PGP passphrase as a command line argument to other programs, which could allow local users to obtain the passphrase and compromise the PGP keys of other users by viewing the arguments via programs that list process information, such as ps.

The weakness was published 07/11/1998 as not defined posting (Mailing List). It is possible to read the advisory at lists.kde.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-1999-1270. The exploitability is told to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1592 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at X-Force (1639). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.9

VulDB Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Temp Score: 5.9
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: Information disclosure
CWE: CWE-200 / CWE-284 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

07/11/1998 🔍
07/11/1998 +0 days 🔍
06/19/2014 +5822 days 🔍
04/17/2026 +4320 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kde.org

Advisory: lists.kde.org
Status: Not defined

CVE: CVE-1999-1270 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1270
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14175
X-Force: 1639 - KDE kmail reveals PGP passphrases

Entryinfo

Created: 06/19/2014 16:35
Updated: 04/17/2026 14:02
Changes: 06/19/2014 16:35 (39), 04/03/2019 21:07 (12), 04/17/2026 14:02 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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