CVE-2003-1477: MAILsweeper for SMTP 4.3.6 and 4.3.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) vi

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-1477 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting mailsweeper for smtp. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

MAILsweeper for SMTP 4.3.6 and 4.3.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a PowerPoint attachment that either (1) is corrupt or (2) contains "embedded objects."

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	1.6% (top 24%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2003-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: clearswift

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

clearswift mailsweeper for smtp DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.3.6 · 4.3.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.3.6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mailsweeper-for-smtp || rpm -q mailsweeper-for-smtp || mailsweeper-for-smtp --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.3.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mailsweeper-for-smtp sudo apt install mailsweeper-for-smtp=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.3.6> sudo apt-mark hold mailsweeper-for-smtp

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

dnf --showduplicates list mailsweeper-for-smtp sudo dnf downgrade mailsweeper-for-smtp-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.3.6> sudo dnf versionlock add mailsweeper-for-smtp

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-2003-1477?

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

Is CVE-2003-1477 being exploited?

CVE-2003-1477 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-2003-1477 affect?

CVE-2003-1477 affects mailsweeper for smtp. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). MAILsweeper for SMTP 4.3.6 and 4.3.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a PowerPoint attachment that either (1) is corrupt or (2) contains "embedded objects."

How urgent is CVE-2003-1477?

Priority 46/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2000-0932 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE MAILsweeper for SMTP 3.x does not properly handle corrupt CDA documents in a ZIP file and hangs, which allows
CVE-2006-3216 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE Clearswift MAILsweeper for SMTP before 4.3.20 and MAILsweeper for Exchange before 4.3.20 allows remote attacke
CVE-2006-3215 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE Clearswift MAILsweeper for SMTP before 4.3.20 and MAILsweeper for Exchange before 4.3.20 allows remote attacke
CVE-2004-2703 MEDIUM 4.3 MITIGATE MITIGATE Clearswift MIMEsweeper 5.0.5, when it has been upgraded from MAILsweeper for SMTP version 4.3 or MAILsweeper B

References

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