CVE-2002-0490: Instant Web Mail before 0.60 does not properly filter CR/LF sequences, which allows remote attackers to (1) ex

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HIGH 10.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0490 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting instant web mail. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Instant Web Mail before 0.60 does not properly filter CR/LF sequences, which allows remote attackers to (1) execute arbitrary POP commands via the id parameter in message.php, or (2) modify certain mail message headers via numerous parameters in write.php.

Why this priority

Critical severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.7% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-08-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: instant web mail

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-08-12 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

instant web mail instant web mail DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.55 · 0.56 · 0.57 · 0.58 · 0.59

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.55

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy instant-web-mail || rpm -q instant-web-mail || instant-web-mail --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.55 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison instant-web-mail sudo apt install instant-web-mail=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.55> sudo apt-mark hold instant-web-mail

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

dnf --showduplicates list instant-web-mail sudo dnf downgrade instant-web-mail-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.55> sudo dnf versionlock add instant-web-mail

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.

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-2002-0490?

instant web mail: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-0490 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0490 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-2002-0490 affect?

CVE-2002-0490 affects instant web mail. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Instant Web Mail before 0.60 does not properly filter CR/LF sequences, which allows remote attackers to (1) execute arbitrary POP commands via the id parameter in message.php, or (2) modify certain mail message headers via numerous paramete

How urgent is CVE-2002-0490?

Priority 57/100. Critical severity

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

References

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