CVE-2005-0404: KMail 1.7.1 in KDE 3.3.2 allows remote attackers to spoof email information, such as whether the email has bee

This month

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2005-0404 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting kmail, kde. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

KMail 1.7.1 in KDE 3.3.2 allows remote attackers to spoof email information, such as whether the email has been digitally signed or encrypted, via HTML formatted email.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	3.0% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-05-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: kde · kmail

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 22:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kmail kmail DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.7.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.7.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.7.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kmail sudo apt install kmail=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7.1> sudo apt-mark hold kmail

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

dnf --showduplicates list kmail sudo dnf downgrade kmail-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7.1> sudo dnf versionlock add kmail

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.

kde kde MITIGATE

Affected: 3.3.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.3.2

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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: KDE KMail 1.7.1 - HTML EMail Remote Email Content Spoofing

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-2005-0404?

kmail: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; kde: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-0404 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0404 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-2005-0404 affect?

CVE-2005-0404 affects kmail, kde. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). KMail 1.7.1 in KDE 3.3.2 allows remote attackers to spoof email information, such as whether the email has been digitally signed or encrypted, via HTML formatted email.

How urgent is CVE-2005-0404?

Priority 44/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-38373 MEDIUM 5.3 DOWNGRADE In KDE KMail 19.12.3 (aka 5.13.3), the SMTP STARTTLS option is not honored (and cleartext messages are sent) u
CVE-2020-15954 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE KDE KMail 19.12.3 (aka 5.13.3) engages in unencrypted POP3 communication during times when the UI indicates th
CVE-2020-11880 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in KDE KMail before 19.12.3
CVE-2019-10732 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE In KDE KMail 5.2.3, an attacker in possession of S/MIME or PGP encrypted emails can wrap them as sub-parts wit
CVE-2017-9604 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE KDE kmail before 5.5.2 and messagelib before 5.5.2, as distributed in KDE Applications before 17.04.2, do not

References

← Back to latest CVEs