CVE-2001-0442: Buffer overflow in Mercury MTA POP3 server for NetWare 1.48 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a den

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2001-0442 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting mercury nlm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in Mercury MTA POP3 server for NetWare 1.48 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long APOP command.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.3% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2001-06-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: david harris

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2001-06-27 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

david harris mercury nlm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.45 · 1.46 · 1.47

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.45

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mercury-nlm || rpm -q mercury-nlm || mercury-nlm --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.45 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mercury-nlm sudo apt install mercury-nlm=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.45> sudo apt-mark hold mercury-nlm

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list mercury-nlm sudo dnf downgrade mercury-nlm-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.45> sudo dnf versionlock add mercury-nlm

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Mercury/NLM 1.4 - Buffer Overflow

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2001-0442?

mercury nlm: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2001-0442 being exploited?

CVE-2001-0442 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2001-0442 affect?

CVE-2001-0442 affects mercury nlm. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Buffer overflow in Mercury MTA POP3 server for NetWare 1.48 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long APOP command.

How urgent is CVE-2001-0442?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

References

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