CVE-2003-0681Sendmail Vulnerability
A "potential buffer overflow in ruleset parsing" for Sendmail 8.12.9, when using the nonstandard rulesets (1) recipient (2), final, or (3) mailer-specific envelope recipients, has unknown consequences.
Published Oct 6, 2003 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2003-0681, DSA-384
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2003-0681 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v2) affecting Advanced Message Server (Sendmail), Sendmail, Sendmail Pro and 12 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Jun 20, 2017. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 22% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Sendmail 8.12.10-1, Sendmail 8.12.3-6.6, sendmail-wide 8.12.3+3.5Wbeta-5.5.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Scores
CVSS v2
7.5
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
22%
Higher than 97.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
38/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Jun 20, 2017
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
1
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
1
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2003-0681
- advisoryRHSA-2003:283
- advisory8649
- patchhttp://www.sendmail.org/8.12.10.html
Description
A "potential buffer overflow in ruleset parsing" for Sendmail 8.12.9, when using the nonstandard rulesets (1) recipient (2), final, or (3) mailer-specific envelope recipients, has unknown consequences.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Jun 20, 2017 | n/a | Not reported |
Affected Products
117 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Message ServerSendmail | 1.2, 1.3 | n/a |
| SendmailSendmail | 2.6, 2.6.1, 2.6.2, 3.0, 3.0.1, 3.0.2, 3.0.3, 8.10 | 8.12.10-1 |
| Sendmail ProSendmail | 8.9.2, 8.9.3 | n/a |
| Sendmail SwitchSendmail | 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.5, 2.2, 2.2.1 | n/a |
| Mac OS XApple | 10.2, 10.2.1, 10.2.2, 10.2.3, 10.2.4, 10.2.5, 10.2.6 | n/a |
Patched Releases
Sendmail
8.12.10-1, 8.12.3-6.6
sendmail-wide
8.12.3+3.5Wbeta-5.5
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Oct 6, 2003
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jun 20, 2017
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
References
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2003-0681
- advisoryRHSA-2003:283
- advisory8649
- patchsendmail.org · 8.12.10.html
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
A "potential buffer overflow in ruleset parsing" for Sendmail 8.12.9, when using the nonstandard rulesets (1) recipient (2), final, or (3) mailer-specific envelope recipients, has unknown consequences.
Affected: Advanced Message Server (Sendmail) versions 1.2, 1.3; Sendmail versions 2.6, 2.6.1, 2.6.2, 3.0, 3.0.1, 3.0.2, 3.0.3, 8.10; Sendmail Pro versions 8.9.2, 8.9.3, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Jun 20, 2017.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Sendmail 8.12.10-1, Sendmail 8.12.3-6.6, sendmail-wide 8.12.3+3.5Wbeta-5.5.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Is CVE-2003-0681 On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense matches it against the products discovered on your perimeter and opens a finding the day a CVE like this is listed.
Request A Demo