How severe is CVE-2003-1016?

CVE-2003-1016 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2003-1016 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2003-1016?

CVE-2003-1016 primarily affects Clearswift Mailsweeper. In total, 22 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2003-1016?

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-2003-1016 published?

CVE-2003-1016 was published on 2004-10-20 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2003-1016

CVE-2003-1016 is a high-severity vulnerability in Clearswift Mailsweeper 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: 2% (82nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Clearswift Mailsweeper
Published: 2004-10-20
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Multiple content security gateway and antivirus products allow remote attackers to bypass content restrictions via MIME messages that use malformed quoting in MIME headers, parameters, and values, including (1) fields that should not be quoted, (2) duplicate quotes, or (3) missing leading or trailing quote characters, which may be interpreted differently by mail clients.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2003-1016?: Multiple content security gateway and antivirus products allow remote attackers to bypass content restrictions via MIME messages that use malformed quoting in MIME headers, parameters, and values, including (1) fields that should not be quoted, (2) duplicate quotes, or (3) missing leading or trailing quote characters, which may be interpreted differently by mail clients.
How severe is CVE-2003-1016?: CVE-2003-1016 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2003-1016 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2003-1016?: CVE-2003-1016 primarily affects Clearswift Mailsweeper. In total, 22 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2003-1016?: 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-2003-1016 published?: CVE-2003-1016 was published on 2004-10-20 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (22)

cpe:2.3:a:clearswift:mailsweeper:4.3.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:clearswift:mailsweeper:4.3.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:clearswift:mailsweeper:4.3.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:clearswift:mailsweeper:4.3.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:clearswift:mailsweeper:4.3.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:clearswift:mailsweeper:4.3.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:clearswift:mailsweeper:4.3.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:f-secure:internet_gatekeeper:6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:f-secure:internet_gatekeeper:6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:f-secure:internet_gatekeeper:6.31:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:f-secure:internet_gatekeeper:6.32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.2.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.2.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.2.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.2.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.3.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.3.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:paul_l_daniels:ripmime:1.3.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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