Buffer overflow in the spa_base64_to_bits function in Exim before 4.43, as originally…
Priority LOW 22Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- — Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Partial · Partial · Partial
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
Buffer overflow in the spa_base64_to_bits function in Exim before 4.43, as originally obtained from Samba code, and as called by the auth_spa_client function, may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code during SPA authentication.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00721 54th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 1 advisory
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 4.40 | Vulnerable | University of Cambridge |
| cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:4.41:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.41 | Vulnerable | University of Cambridge |
| cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:4.42:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.42 | Vulnerable | University of Cambridge |
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 4.40 Vulnerable ·University of Cambridge
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:4.41:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.41 Vulnerable ·University of Cambridge
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:4.42:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.42 Vulnerable ·University of Cambridge
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2005:025 Released 2005-02-15 · Red Hat rating Moderateexim security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3, exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3.i386, exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3.ia64 +13
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3, exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3.i386, exim-doc-4.43-1.RHEL4.3 +5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3, exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3.i386, exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3.ia64 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3, exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3.i386, exim-4.43-1.RHEL4.3.ia64 +9
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 | Fixed | RHSA-2005:025 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 | Fixed | RHSA-2005:025 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 | Fixed | RHSA-2005:025 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 | Fixed | RHSA-2005:025 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2005-0022
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-gfq6-mjrf-7jp5
References
More University of Cambridge Exim vulnerabilities
- TI-2004-00365 Stack-based buffer overflow in Exim 3.35, and other versions before 4, when the… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2001-00663 Format string vulnerability in exim (3.22-10 in Red Hat, 3.12 in Debian and 3.16 in… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2004-00366 Stack-based buffer overflow in Exim 4 before 4.33, when the headers_check_syntax option… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2001-00846 Exim 3.22 and earlier, in some configurations, does not properly verify the local part of… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2003-00686 Heap-based buffer overflow in smtp_in.c for Exim 3 (exim3) before 3.36 and Exim 4 (exim4)… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2005-00021 Multiple buffer overflows in Exim before 4.43 may allow attackers to execute arbitrary… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.2
Sources
- CVE-2005-0022 · CVE Program
- CVE-2005-0022 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-gfq6-mjrf-7jp5 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2005-0022 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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