CVE-1999-0206

MIME buffer overflow in Sendmail 8.8.0 and 8.8.1 gives root access

published September 29, 1999

CVSS
—
EPSS
2%
Percentile
79.5
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ An outdated Sendmail version could give attackers a VIP pass! This MIME buffer overflow in Sendmail 8.8.0 and 8.8.1 lets them waltz right in with root access. 🔥 Think of it like a sneaky delivery driver who finds a way to bypass the security gate at a sensitive facility, delivering packages straight to the CEO’s office without any checks. This is exactly what this vulnerability allows – an unauthorized guest in your server! With root access, an attacker could potentially take control of your entire system, modify files, exfiltrate sensitive data, or even bring your services to a standstill. It’s like handing over the keys to your castle without even knowing it!

Put simply

Think of it like a sneaky delivery driver who finds a way to bypass the security gate at a sensitive facility, delivering packages straight to the CEO’s office without any checks. This is exactly what this vulnerability allows – an unauthorized guest in your server! This vulnerability arises from a buffer overflow in the MIME handling of Sendmail, specifically in versions 8.8.0 and 8.8.1. An attacker can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, leading to full control of the compromised server.

What to do

With root access, an attacker could potentially take control of your entire system, modify files, exfiltrate sensitive data, or even bring your services to a standstill. It’s like handing over the keys to your castle without even knowing it! It's essential to upgrade Sendmail to a more secure version to mitigate this risk. If you're still using 8.8.0 or 8.8.1, patch it or switch to a supported version immediately. Regularly check your systems for vulnerabilities, too! You've got this! With a simple update, you can keep your systems safe and sound. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01895 · 79.5th percentile
Published
1999-09-29T04:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 29 SEP 04:00Z
    MIME buffer overflow in Sendmail 8.8.0 and 8.8.1 gives root access
    cvelistv5