CVE-2005-1513: Integer overflow in the stralloc_readyplus function in qmail, when running on 64 bit platforms with a large am

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2005-1513 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting qmail, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Integer overflow in the stralloc_readyplus function in qmail, when running on 64 bit platforms with a large amount of virtual memory, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large SMTP request.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	10.8% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-190
Published	2005-05-11
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · qmail project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-05-11 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:13 UTCUpdated Record last modified

qmail project qmail MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 20.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 20.04

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora ELN · dropbear · FIXED · 2026.94-2.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-1f4bf22735 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-1f4bf22735

Fedora 46 · python-odata-query · FIXED · 0.10.1-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-eab44dc513 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-eab44dc513

Ubuntu 20.04 · netqmail · FIXED · 1.06-6.2~deb10u1build0.20.04.1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade netqmail dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' netqmail)" ge "1.06-6.2~deb10u1build0.20.04.1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

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-2005-1513?

qmail: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-1513 being exploited?

CVE-2005-1513 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-2005-1513 affect?

CVE-2005-1513 affects qmail, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Integer overflow in the stralloc_readyplus function in qmail, when running on 64 bit platforms with a large amount of virtual memory, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large SMTP

How urgent is CVE-2005-1513?

Priority 73/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-1515 MEDIUM 5.0 MITIGATE Integer signedness error in the qmail_put and substdio_put functions in qmail, when running on 64 bit platform
CVE-2005-1514 MEDIUM 5.0 MITIGATE commands.c in qmail, when running on 64 bit platforms with a large amount of virtual memory, allows remote att

References

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