CVE-2001-0690

EXPLOITED

Exim < 3.22 - Remote Code Execution via Format String in SMTP Mail Headers

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2001-0690 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 1 public exploit from researchers including Megyer Laszlo.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit demonstrates a format string vulnerability in Exim when syntax checking is enabled. By crafting a malicious 'From:' header, an attacker can leak memory addresses, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with root privileges.

Description

Format string vulnerability in exim (3.22-10 in Red Hat, 3.12 in Debian and 3.16 in Conectiva) in batched SMTP mode allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via format strings in SMTP mail headers.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Megyer Laszlo · textlocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20900

This exploit demonstrates a format string vulnerability in Exim when syntax checking is enabled. By crafting a malicious 'From:' header, an attacker can leak memory addresses, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with root privileges.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Exim (version not specified, likely older versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Exim with syntax checking mode enabled
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (6)

Core 6
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/6671
Exploit, Vendor Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2001-06/0041.html
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2828
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2001/dsa-058
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2001-078.html
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_conectiva
http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000402

Scores

EPSS 0.1993
EPSS Percentile 95.6%

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2017-06-20
Status published
Products (4)
conectiva/linux
debian/debian_linux 4.0
redhat/linux
university_of_cambridge/exim < 3.22
Published Sep 20, 2001
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026