How severe is CVE-2012-5671?

CVE-2012-5671 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2012-5671 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 8% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-5671?

CVE-2012-5671 primarily affects Exim. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-5671?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2012-5671 published?

CVE-2012-5671 was published on 2012-10-31 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-5671

CVE-2012-5671 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Exim with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 6.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 8% (94th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Exim
Published: 2012-10-31
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the dkim_exim_query_dns_txt function in dkim.c in Exim 4.70 through 4.80, when DKIM support is enabled and acl_smtp_connect and acl_smtp_rcpt are not set to "warn control = dkim_disable_verify," allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an email from a malicious DNS server.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-5671?: Heap-based buffer overflow in the dkim_exim_query_dns_txt function in dkim.c in Exim 4.70 through 4.80, when DKIM support is enabled and acl_smtp_connect and acl_smtp_rcpt are not set to "warn control = dkim_disable_verify," allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an email from a malicious DNS server.
How severe is CVE-2012-5671?: CVE-2012-5671 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2012-5671 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 8% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-5671?: CVE-2012-5671 primarily affects Exim. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-5671?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2012-5671 published?: CVE-2012-5671 was published on 2012-10-31 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.70:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.71:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.72:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.73:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.74:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.75:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.76:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.77:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:4.80:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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