CVE-2001-1078

eXtremail <= 1.1.9 - Format String Vulnerability via SMTP and POP3 Commands

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 4 public exploits for CVE-2001-1078. PoCs published by mu-b, B-r00t, Luca Ercoli.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a format-string vulnerability in eXtremail's logging mechanism via the USER command. It sends maliciously crafted arguments to trigger the vulnerability, potentially leading to remote code execution or denial of service.

Description

Format string vulnerability in flog function of eXtremail 1.1.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to gain root privileges via format specifiers in the SMTP commands (1) HELO, (2) EHLO, (3) MAIL FROM, or (4) RCPT TO, and the POP3 commands (5) USER and (6) other commands that can be executed after POP3 authentication.

Exploits (4)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by mu-b · perlremotelinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20954

This exploit targets a format-string vulnerability in eXtremail's logging mechanism via the USER command. It sends maliciously crafted arguments to trigger the vulnerability, potentially leading to remote code execution or denial of service.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: eXtremail <=2.1.1
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target SMTP server · eXtremail running on a vulnerable version
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by B-r00t · cremotelinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49

This exploit leverages a format string vulnerability in the fLog() function of eXtremail's smtpd to overwrite the GOT entry and redirect execution to shellcode, binding a root shell to port 36864.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Linux eXtremail 1.5.x (specifically versions 1.5-5, 1.5-8, and 1.5-7)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target's SMTP port (25) · Target must be running a vulnerable version of eXtremail
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by mu-b · cremotelinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20953

This exploit targets a format string vulnerability in eXtremail's logging mechanism, allowing remote code execution via maliciously crafted SMTP commands. It includes shellcode for a bind shell and targets specific versions of eXtremail on RedHat 7.0.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: eXtremail v1.1.5-1.1.9
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the SMTP server · Target running vulnerable eXtremail version
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Luca Ercoli · cdoslinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20952

This exploit targets a format-string vulnerability in eXtremail's logging mechanism, allowing remote attackers to crash the service or potentially execute arbitrary code. The PoC sends a maliciously crafted SMTP command to trigger the vulnerability.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: eXtremail 1.5.x
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target SMTP server
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (5)

Core 5
Core References
Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2908
Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2001-06/0291.html
Various Sources x_refsource_confirm
http://www.extremail.com/news.htm
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/6733
Various Sources x_refsource_confirm
http://www.extremail.com/history.htm

Scores

EPSS 0.0544
EPSS Percentile 91.7%

Details

Status published
Products (14)
extremail/extremail 1.0
extremail/extremail 1.0.1
extremail/extremail 1.0.2
extremail/extremail 1.0.3
extremail/extremail 1.1
extremail/extremail 1.1.1
extremail/extremail 1.1.2
extremail/extremail 1.1.3
extremail/extremail 1.1.4
extremail/extremail 1.1.5
... and 4 more
Published Jun 21, 2001
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026