CVE-2002-1271: The Mail::Mailer Perl module in the perl-MailTools package 1.47 and earlier uses mailx as the default mailer,

This month

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1271 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting perl-mailtools. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Mail::Mailer Perl module in the perl-MailTools package 1.47 and earlier uses mailx as the default mailer, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by inserting them into the mail body, which is then processed by mailx.

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	3.6% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-11-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: perl-mailtools

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-11-12 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

perl-mailtools perl-mailtools DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.13 · 1.15 · 1.40 · 1.42 · 1.44 · 1.47 · 1.1401

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.13

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy perl-mailtools || rpm -q perl-mailtools || perl-mailtools --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.13 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison perl-mailtools sudo apt install perl-mailtools=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.13> sudo apt-mark hold perl-mailtools

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

dnf --showduplicates list perl-mailtools sudo dnf downgrade perl-mailtools-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.13> sudo dnf versionlock add perl-mailtools

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-2002-1271?

perl-mailtools: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-1271 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1271 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-2002-1271 affect?

CVE-2002-1271 affects perl-mailtools. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The Mail::Mailer Perl module in the perl-MailTools package 1.47 and earlier uses mailx as the default mailer, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by inserting them into the mail body, which is then processed by mailx

How urgent is CVE-2002-1271?

Priority 49/100. High severity

Software pages

Perl vulnerabilities

References

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