CVE-2005-0022: Buffer overflow in the spa_base64_to_bits function in Exim before 4.43, as originally obtained from Samba code

Q: How do I fix CVE-2005-0022?

exim: upgrade to newer than 4.40. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2005-0022 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0022 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2005-0022 affect?

CVE-2005-0022 affects exim. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Buffer overflow in the spa_base64_to_bits function in Exim before 4.43, as originally obtained from Samba code, and as called by the auth_spa_client function, may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code during SPA authentication.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2005-0022?

Priority 30/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6UPGRADE

CVE-2005-0022 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting exim. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in the spa_base64_to_bits function in Exim before 4.43, as originally obtained from Samba code, and as called by the auth_spa_client function, may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code during SPA authentication.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 46%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-05-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: university of cambridge

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-05-02 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

university of cambridge exim UPGRADE

Affected: <= 4.40 · 4.41 · 4.42

Fixed in: newer than 4.40

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 4.40 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade exim

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade exim

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2005-0022?

exim: upgrade to newer than 4.40. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-0022 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0022 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-2005-0022 affect?

CVE-2005-0022 affects exim. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Buffer overflow in the spa_base64_to_bits function in Exim before 4.43, as originally obtained from Samba code, and as called by the auth_spa_client function, may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code during SPA authentication.

How urgent is CVE-2005-0022?

Priority 30/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

Samba vulnerabilities · Exim vulnerabilities

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References

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