CVE-2003-0743
CVE-2003-0743 is a high-severity vulnerability in University Of Cambridge Exim with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.5)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 6% (92nd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Affected product: University Of Cambridge Exim
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in smtp_in.c for Exim 3 (exim3) before 3.36 and Exim 4 (exim4) before 4.21 may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an invalid (1) HELO or (2) EHLO argument with a large number of spaces followed by a NULL character and a newline, which is not properly trimmed before the "(no argument given)" string is appended to the buffer.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2003-0743?
- Heap-based buffer overflow in smtp_in.c for Exim 3 (exim3) before 3.36 and Exim 4 (exim4) before 4.21 may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an invalid (1) HELO or (2) EHLO argument with a large number of spaces followed by a NULL character and a newline, which is not properly trimmed before the "(no argument given)" string is appended to the buffer.
- How severe is CVE-2003-0743?
- CVE-2003-0743 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.
- Is CVE-2003-0743 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2003-0743?
- CVE-2003-0743 primarily affects University Of Cambridge Exim. In total, 25 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2003-0743?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2003-0743 published?
- CVE-2003-0743 was published on 2003-10-20 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000735
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=106252015820395&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=vuln-dev&m=106264740820334&w=2
- http://packages.debian.org/changelogs/pool/main/e/exim/exim_3.36-13/changelog
- http://packages.debian.org/changelogs/pool/main/e/exim4/exim4_4.34-10/changelog
- http://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-376
- http://www.exim.org/pipermail/exim-announce/2003q3/000094.html
- http://www.exim.org/pipermail/exim-users/Week-of-Mon-20030811/057720.html
- http://www.exim.org/pipermail/exim-users/Week-of-Mon-20030811/057809.html
Affected products (25)
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.12:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.30:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.31:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.35:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:3.36:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:4.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:4.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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- CVE-2001-0690 — High (CVSS 7.5): Format string vulnerability in exim (3.22-10 in Red Hat, 3.12 in Debian and 3.16 in Conectiva) in batched SMTP mode…
- CVE-2005-0021 — High (CVSS 7.2): Multiple buffer overflows in Exim before 4.43 may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) an IPv6 address…
- CVE-2002-1381 — High (CVSS 7.2): Format string vulnerability in daemon.c for Exim 4.x through 4.10, and 3.x through 3.36, allows exim administrative…