CVE-2003-0852: Format string vulnerability in send_message.c for Sylpheed-claws 0.9.4 through 0.9.6 allows remote SMTP server

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0852 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting sylpheed, sylpheed-claws. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Format string vulnerability in send_message.c for Sylpheed-claws 0.9.4 through 0.9.6 allows remote SMTP servers to cause a denial of service (crash) in sylpheed via format strings in an error message.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.4% (top 27%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-11-17
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: sylpheed · sylpheed-claws

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-11-17 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sylpheed sylpheed DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.9.4 · 0.9.5 · 0.9.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.9.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison sylpheed sudo apt install sylpheed=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.4> sudo apt-mark hold sylpheed

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

dnf --showduplicates list sylpheed sudo dnf downgrade sylpheed-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.4> sudo dnf versionlock add sylpheed

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.

sylpheed-claws sylpheed-claws DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.9.4 · 0.9.5 · 0.9.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy sylpheed-claws || rpm -q sylpheed-claws || sylpheed-claws --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.9.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison sylpheed-claws sudo apt install sylpheed-claws=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.4> sudo apt-mark hold sylpheed-claws

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

dnf --showduplicates list sylpheed-claws sudo dnf downgrade sylpheed-claws-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.4> sudo dnf versionlock add sylpheed-claws

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-2003-0852?

sylpheed: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; sylpheed-claws: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0852 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0852 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-2003-0852 affect?

CVE-2003-0852 affects sylpheed, sylpheed-claws. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Format string vulnerability in send_message.c for Sylpheed-claws 0.9.4 through 0.9.6 allows remote SMTP servers to cause a denial of service (crash) in sylpheed via format strings in an error message.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0852?

Priority 41/100. On your watchlist

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References

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