CVE-2002-1582: compose.cgi in Mailreader.com 2.3.30 and 2.3.31, when using Sendmail as the Mail Transfer Agent, allows remote

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HIGH 10.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1582 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting mailreader.com. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

compose.cgi in Mailreader.com 2.3.30 and 2.3.31, when using Sendmail as the Mail Transfer Agent, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the RealEmail configuration variable, which is used to call Sendmail in network.cgi.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	3.6% (top 10%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-12-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mailreader.com

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-12-06 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mailreader.com mailreader.com DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.3.30 · 2.3.31

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3.30

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mailreader.com || rpm -q mailreader.com || mailreader.com --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.3.30 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mailreader.com sudo apt install mailreader.com=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.30> sudo apt-mark hold mailreader.com

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

dnf --showduplicates list mailreader.com sudo dnf downgrade mailreader.com-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.30> sudo dnf versionlock add mailreader.com

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-2002-1582?

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

Is CVE-2002-1582 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1582 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-2002-1582 affect?

CVE-2002-1582 affects mailreader.com. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). compose.cgi in Mailreader.com 2.3.30 and 2.3.31, when using Sendmail as the Mail Transfer Agent, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the RealEmail configuration variable, which is used to call S

How urgent is CVE-2002-1582?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-0386 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in network.cgi in mailreader before 2.3.29 earlier allows remote atta
CVE-2002-1581 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Directory traversal vulnerability in nph-mr.cgi in Mailreader.com 2.3.20 through 2.3.31 allows remote attacker

References

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