CVE-1999-0005

Arbitrary command execution via IMAP buffer overflow in authenticate command

published September 29, 1999

CVSS
β€”
EPSS
18%
Percentile
97.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A buffer overflow in the IMAP authenticate command could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on your server β€” it's like a waiter taking a too-long order and mixing up the dishes! 🍽️ Imagine if a restaurant staff member took an incredibly complex order without writing it down. When the kitchen tries to fill the request, they might end up serving a dish that nobody asked for β€” potentially disastrous! If exploited, an attacker could gain control of your server, potentially compromising sensitive data or executing malicious commands. While there are no known exploits at this time, the risk of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or data leaks that may have devastating consequences.

Put simply

Imagine if a restaurant staff member took an incredibly complex order without writing it down. When the kitchen tries to fill the request, they might end up serving a dish that nobody asked for β€” potentially disastrous! This vulnerability in the IMAP service arises from a buffer overflow in the authenticate command, allowing an attacker to send specially crafted input that can execute arbitrary commands on the server.

What to do

If exploited, an attacker could gain control of your server, potentially compromising sensitive data or executing malicious commands. While there are no known exploits at this time, the risk of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or data leaks that may have devastating consequences. It's important to patch your IMAP server as soon as possible to mitigate this risk. Check for updates from your provider and apply any patches related to this vulnerability. If you're managing your own server, consider implementing input validation and buffer size checks to prevent similar issues. You've got this! Keep your systems updated and stay vigilant β€” your security hero status is activated! πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈ

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.18415 Β· 97.2th percentile
Published
1999-09-29T04:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 29 SEP 04:00Z
    Arbitrary command execution via IMAP buffer overflow in authenticate command
    cvelistv5