CVE-2000-0545

mailx - Buffer Overflow via Long -c Parameter

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2000-0545. PoCs published by Paulo Ribeiro, funkysh.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a buffer overflow vulnerability in BSD mailx 8.1.1-10 via the -c parameter, allowing local privilege escalation to the 'mail' group. It uses a NOP sled and shellcode to spawn a shell with elevated privileges.

Description

Buffer overflow in mailx mail command (aka Mail) on Linux systems allows local users to gain privileges via a long -c (carbon copy) parameter.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Paulo Ribeiro · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/19991

This exploit targets a buffer overflow vulnerability in BSD mailx 8.1.1-10 via the -c parameter, allowing local privilege escalation to the 'mail' group. It uses a NOP sled and shellcode to spawn a shell with elevated privileges.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: BSD mailx 8.1.1-10
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the system · BSD mailx installed setgid
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by funkysh · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/19992

This exploit targets a buffer overflow vulnerability in BSD mailx 8.1.1-10 via the -c parameter, allowing local privilege escalation to the 'mail' group. It uses a combination of NOP sleds and shellcode to execute '/bin/sh' with elevated privileges.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: BSD mailx 8.1.1-10
No auth needed
Prerequisites: mailx installed setgid mail · local access to the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/1305
Vendor Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2000-05/0435.html
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2000/20000605

Scores

EPSS 0.0089
EPSS Percentile 54.8%

Details

Status published
Products (9)
sgi/mailx 3
sgi/mailx 4
sgi/mailx 5
sgi/mailx 6.0.1
sgi/mailx 6.1
sgi/mailx 6.2
sgi/mailx 6.3
sgi/mailx 6.4
sgi/mailx 6.5
Published Aug 08, 2000
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026