Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5/6.0 S/MIME Parser from memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5/6.0. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component S/MIME Parser. Such manipulation of the argument from leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2002-1179. In addition, an exploit is available. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5/6.0 (Mail Client Software). It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown processing of the component S/MIME Parser. The manipulation of the argument from with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Buffer overflow in the S/MIME Parsing capability in Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 and 6.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a digitally signed email with a long "From" address, which triggers the overflow when the user views or previews the message.

The weakness was presented 10/28/2002 by Noam Rathaus with Beyond Security as MS02-058 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared for download at microsoft.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2002-1179. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. Technical details as well as a public exploit are known.

The exploit is available at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. As 0-day the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k.

Applying the patch MS02-058 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at microsoft.com.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (10338), Exploit-DB (21932), SecurityFocus (BID 5944†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-2711†). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
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
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: MS02-058

Timelineinfo

10/10/2002 🔍
10/10/2002 +0 days 🔍
10/28/2002 +18 days 🔍
10/28/2002 +0 days 🔍
10/27/2003 +364 days 🔍
07/30/2014 +3929 days 🔍
06/22/2025 +3980 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS02-058
Researcher: Noam Rathaus
Organization: Beyond Security
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2002-1179 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2002-1179
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-19088
X-Force: 10338
SecurityFocus: 5944 - Microsoft Outlook Express S/MIME Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 2711 - [MS02-058] Buffer Overflow in Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 and 6.0, Medium

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

Entryinfo

Created: 07/30/2014 18:01
Updated: 06/22/2025 21:01
Changes: 07/30/2014 18:01 (61), 05/16/2019 11:48 (4), 06/22/2025 21:01 (25)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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