CVE-2003-1557: Off-by-one buffer overflow in spamc of SpamAssassin 2.40 through 2.43, when using BSMTP mode ("-B"), allows re

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HIGH 7.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-1557 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.6) affecting spamassassin. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Off-by-one buffer overflow in spamc of SpamAssassin 2.40 through 2.43, when using BSMTP mode ("-B"), allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via email containing headers with leading "." characters.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.6 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	4.6% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2003-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: spamassassin

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

spamassassin spamassassin DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.40 · 2.41 · 2.42 · 2.43

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.40

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.40 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison spamassassin sudo apt install spamassassin=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.40> sudo apt-mark hold spamassassin

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

dnf --showduplicates list spamassassin sudo dnf downgrade spamassassin-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.40> sudo dnf versionlock add spamassassin

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-2003-1557?

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

Is CVE-2003-1557 being exploited?

CVE-2003-1557 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-2003-1557 affect?

CVE-2003-1557 affects spamassassin. Severity is high (CVSS 7.6). Off-by-one buffer overflow in spamc of SpamAssassin 2.40 through 2.43, when using BSMTP mode ("-B"), allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via email containing headers with leading "." characters.

How urgent is CVE-2003-1557?

Priority 50/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited

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References

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