CVE-2010-4345
HighExploitedPublic exploitExim 4.72 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges by leveraging the ability of the exim user account to specify an alternate configuration file with a directive that contains arbitrary commands, as demonstrated by the spool_directory directive.
Published May 5, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2010-4345, DSA-2154-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2010-4345 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Exim, Ubuntu Linux (Canonical), Debian Linux and 6 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Dec 10, 2010. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 18% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Exim 0:4.43-1.RHEL4.5.el4_8.3, Exim 0:4.63-5.el5_6.2, Exim 4.63-5.el5_6.2.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
18%
Higher than 97.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2010-4345 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Exim 4.72 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges by leveraging the ability of the exim user account to specify an alternate configuration file with a directive that contains arbitrary commands, as demonstrated by the spool_directory directive.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 25, 2022 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Dec 10, 2010 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 25, 2022 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 25, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
29 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| EximExim | See advisory | 4.72 |
| Ubuntu LinuxCanonical | 10.04, 10.10, 6.06, 8.04, 9.10 | n/a |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 5.0 | n/a |
| OpensuseOpensuse | 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 | n/a |
| exim4debian | See advisory | 4.72-3 |
Patched Releases
Exim
0:4.43-1.RHEL4.5.el4_8.3, 0:4.63-5.el5_6.2, 4.63-5.el5_6.2, 4.86.2-2.2, 4.72
exim-mon
4.63-5.el5_6.2
exim-sa
4.63-5.el5_6.2
exim4
4.69-9+lenny3, 4.72-3
eximon
4.86.2-2.2
eximstats-html
4.86.2-2.2
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Dec 10, 2010
Publicly disclosed
May 5, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 25, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 25, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 25, 2022
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-77 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
- CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
References
- advisorySUSE-SA:2010:059
- advisoryRHSA-2011:0153
- advisoryhttps://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-research/2021/05/04/21nails-multiple-vulnerabilities-in-exim-mail-server
- advisoryhttps://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-research/2021/05/04/21nails-multiple-vulnerabilities-in-exim-mail-server/
- advisoryhttps://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-research/2021/05/04/21nails-multiple-vulnerabilities-in-exim-mail-server?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
FAQ
Common Questions.
Exim 4.72 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges by leveraging the ability of the exim user account to specify an alternate configuration file with a directive that contains arbitrary commands, as demonstrated by the spool_directory directive.
Affected: Exim; Ubuntu Linux (Canonical) versions 10.04, 10.10, 6.06, 8.04, 9.10; Debian Linux versions 5.0, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Dec 10, 2010.
Yes. It was added on Mar 25, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Apr 15, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Exim 0:4.43-1.RHEL4.5.el4_8.3, Exim 0:4.63-5.el5_6.2, Exim 4.63-5.el5_6.2.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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