CVE-2002-1827: Sendmail 8.9.0 through 8.12.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service by obtaining an exclusive lock o

Routine

LOW 2.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1827 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting sendmail. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Sendmail 8.9.0 through 8.12.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service by obtaining an exclusive lock on the (1) alias, (2) map, (3) statistics, and (4) pid files.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 39%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: sendmail

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sendmail sendmail DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.9.0 · 8.9.1 · 8.9.2 · 8.9.3 · 8.10 · 8.10.1 · 8.10.2 · 8.11.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.9.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy sendmail || rpm -q sendmail || sendmail --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.9.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison sendmail sudo apt install sendmail=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.9.0> sudo apt-mark hold sendmail

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

dnf --showduplicates list sendmail sudo dnf downgrade sendmail-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.9.0> sudo dnf versionlock add sendmail

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: Sendmail 8.9.x/8.10.x/8.11.x/8.12.x - File Locking Denial of Service (1)
Exploit-DB: Sendmail 8.9.x/8.10.x/8.11.x/8.12.x - File Locking Denial of Service (2)

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-2002-1827?

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

Is CVE-2002-1827 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1827 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-2002-1827 affect?

CVE-2002-1827 affects sendmail. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). Sendmail 8.9.0 through 8.12.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service by obtaining an exclusive lock on the (1) alias, (2) map, (3) statistics, and (4) pid files.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1827?

Priority 27/100. Public exploit reference

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References

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