PatchTheCVECVE-2001-0473: Format string vulnerability in Mutt before 1.2.5 allows a remote malicious IMAP server to execute arbitrary co
52
This month
HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE
CVE-2001-0473 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting immunix, mutt, linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Format string vulnerability in Mutt before 1.2.5 allows a remote malicious IMAP server to execute arbitrary commands.
Why this priority
- High severity
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.5 (High) |
| EPSS exploit chance | 2.1% (top 19%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Published | 2001-06-27 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-16 |
Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
immunix immunix DOWNGRADE
Affected: 6.2 · 7.0 · 7.0_beta
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.2
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy immunix || rpm -q immunix || immunix --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison immunix
sudo apt install immunix=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.2>
sudo apt-mark hold immunix
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list immunix
sudo dnf downgrade immunix-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.2>
sudo dnf versionlock add immunix
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.
mutt mutt UPGRADE
Affected: <= 1.2.5
Fixed in: newer than 1.2.5
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy mutt || rpm -q mutt || mutt --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.2.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade mutt
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade mutt
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
conectiva linux MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0 · 6.1 · 7.0 · 7.1 · 7.2
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat linux MITIGATE
Affected: 5.2 · 6.0 · 6.1 · 6.2 · 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.2
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
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.
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-2001-0473?
immunix: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; mutt: upgrade to newer than 1.2.5; linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2001-0473 being exploited?
CVE-2001-0473 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-2001-0473 affect?
CVE-2001-0473 affects immunix, mutt, linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Format string vulnerability in Mutt before 1.2.5 allows a remote malicious IMAP server to execute arbitrary commands.
How urgent is CVE-2001-0473?
Priority 52/100. High severity; On your watchlist
Related CVEs
- CVE-2000-0963 HIGH 7.2 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Buffer overflow in ncurses library allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via long environmental inf
- CVE-2002-1565 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in url_filename function for wget 1.8.1 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (segment
- CVE-2002-0083 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Off-by-one error in the channel code of OpenSSH 2.0 through 3.0.2 allows local users or remote malicious serve
- CVE-2001-1030 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Squid before 2.3STABLE5 in HTTP accelerator mode does not enable access control lists (ACLs) when the httpd_ac
- CVE-2001-0738 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE LogLine function in klogd in sysklogd 1.3 in various Linux distributions allows an attacker to cause a denial