University of Cambridge Exim 4.32 headers_check_syntax stack-based overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in University of Cambridge Exim 4.32. Impacted is the function headers_check_syntax. The manipulation results in stack-based overflow. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2004-0400. There is not any exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in University of Cambridge Exim 4.32 (Mail Server Software). Affected is the function headers_check_syntax. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a stack-based overflow vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-121. A stack-based buffer overflow condition is a condition where the buffer being overwritten is allocated on the stack (i.e., is a local variable or, rarely, a parameter to a function). This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Stack-based buffer overflow in Exim 4 before 4.33, when the headers_check_syntax option is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code during the header check.

The weakness was released 07/07/2004 (Website). The advisory is available at lists.grok.org.uk. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2004-0400 since 04/13/2004. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 14493 (GLSA-200405-07 : Exim verify=header_syntax buffer overflow), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Gentoo Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 74148 (Exim Multiple Remote Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities).

Upgrading to version 4.33 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (16077), Tenable (14493) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-4270†). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
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: Stack-based overflow
CWE: CWE-121 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 14493
Nessus Name: GLSA-200405-07 : Exim verify=header_syntax buffer overflow
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 53191
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 501-1 (exim)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Exim 4.33

Timelineinfo

04/13/2004 🔍
05/14/2004 +31 days 🔍
07/07/2004 +54 days 🔍
07/07/2004 +0 days 🔍
08/30/2004 +54 days 🔍
10/17/2014 +3700 days 🔍
07/12/2025 +3921 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: lists.grok.org.uk
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2004-0400 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2004-0400
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-21906
X-Force: 16077
Vulnerability Center: 4270

Entryinfo

Created: 10/17/2014 16:24
Updated: 07/12/2025 23:07
Changes: 10/17/2014 16:24 (62), 04/23/2019 10:05 (1), 07/01/2024 15:48 (17), 07/12/2025 23:07 (5)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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