CVE-2002-1337
CriticalPublic exploitBuffer overflow in Sendmail 5.79 to 8.12.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via certain formatted address fields, related to sender and recipient header comments as processed by the crackaddr function of headers.c.
Published Mar 7, 2003 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2002-1337, DSA-257
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2002-1337 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 10.0 v2) affecting Sendmail, Alphaserver Sc (Hp), Linux (Gentoo) and 7 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Sendmail 8.12.3-5, Sendmail 8.13.0.PreAlpha4-0, Sendmail 8.9.3.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v2
10.0
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
73%
Higher than 99.4% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2002-1337 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Buffer overflow in Sendmail 5.79 to 8.12.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via certain formatted address fields, related to sender and recipient header comments as processed by the crackaddr function of headers.c.
Affected Products
38 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| SendmailSendmail | See advisory | 8.9.3 |
| Alphaserver ScHp | See advisory | n/a |
| LinuxGentoo | 1.4-rc1, 1.4-rc2 | n/a |
| Hp-UxHp | 10.10, 10.20, 11.00, 11.0.4, 11.11, 11.22 | n/a |
| NetbsdNetbsd | 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.5.2, 1.5.3, 1.6 | n/a |
Patched Releases
Sendmail
8.12.3-5, 8.13.0.PreAlpha4-0, 8.9.3
sendmail-wide
8.12.3+3.5Wbeta-5.2
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 7, 2003
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-120 Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
References
- advisory20030303 sendmail 8.12.8 available
- advisory20030304 [LSD] Technical analysis of the remote sendmail vulnerability
- advisory20030303 Fwd: APPLE-SA-2003-03-03 sendmail
- advisory20030304 GLSA: sendmail (200303-4)
- advisoryHPSBUX0302-246
FAQ
Common Questions.
Buffer overflow in Sendmail 5.79 to 8.12.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via certain formatted address fields, related to sender and recipient header comments as processed by the crackaddr function of headers.c.
Affected: Sendmail; Alphaserver Sc (Hp); Linux (Gentoo) versions 1.4-rc1, 1.4-rc2, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Sendmail 8.12.3-5, Sendmail 8.13.0.PreAlpha4-0, Sendmail 8.9.3.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
Is CVE-2002-1337 Running On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense maps vulnerabilities like this one to your internet-facing assets and tells you exactly where to patch.
Request A Demo