CVE-2003-0694
CriticalExploitedThe prescan function in Sendmail 8.12.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via buffer overflow attacks, as demonstrated using the parseaddr function in parseaddr.c.
Published Oct 6, 2003 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2003-0694
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2003-0694 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 10.0 v2) affecting Advanced Message Server (Sendmail), Sendmail, Sendmail Pro and 16 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Jun 20, 2017. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 66% 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.
CVSS v2
10.0
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
66%
Higher than 99.2% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2003-0694 brief as a PDF
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Description
The prescan function in Sendmail 8.12.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via buffer overflow attacks, as demonstrated using the parseaddr function in parseaddr.c.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Jun 20, 2017 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
175 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
- advisoryRHSA-2003:283
- advisoryRHSA-2003:284
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2003-0694
- patchCA-2003-25
- patchhttp://www.sendmail.org/8.12.10.html
FAQ
Common Questions.
The prescan function in Sendmail 8.12.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via buffer overflow attacks, as demonstrated using the parseaddr function in parseaddr.c.
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.
No public exploit code is known.
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.
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