CVE-2005-4559: mail/include.html in IceWarp Web Mail 5.5.1, as used by Merak Mail Server 8.3.0r and VisNetic Mail Server vers

This week

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-4559 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting visnetic mail server, web mail, mail server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

mail/include.html in IceWarp Web Mail 5.5.1, as used by Merak Mail Server 8.3.0r and VisNetic Mail Server version 8.3.0 build 1, does not properly initialize the default_layout and layout_settings variables when an unrecognized HTTP_USER_AGENT string is provided, which allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files via a request with an unrecognized User Agent that also specifies the desired default_layout and layout_settings parameters.

Why this priority

EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	8.6% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-12-28
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: deerfield · icewarp · merak

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-12-28 11:03 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:19 UTCUpdated Record last modified

deerfield visnetic mail server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.3.0_build1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.3.0_build1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy visnetic-mail-server || rpm -q visnetic-mail-server || visnetic-mail-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.3.0_build1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison visnetic-mail-server sudo apt install visnetic-mail-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.3.0_build1> sudo apt-mark hold visnetic-mail-server

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

dnf --showduplicates list visnetic-mail-server sudo dnf downgrade visnetic-mail-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.3.0_build1> sudo dnf versionlock add visnetic-mail-server

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.

icewarp web mail DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.5.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.5.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy web-mail || rpm -q web-mail || web-mail --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.5.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison web-mail sudo apt install web-mail=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5.1> sudo apt-mark hold web-mail

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

dnf --showduplicates list web-mail sudo dnf downgrade web-mail-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5.1> sudo dnf versionlock add web-mail

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.

merak mail server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.3.0r

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.3.0r

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mail-server || rpm -q mail-server || mail-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.3.0r (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mail-server sudo apt install mail-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.3.0r> sudo apt-mark hold mail-server

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

dnf --showduplicates list mail-server sudo dnf downgrade mail-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.3.0r> sudo dnf versionlock add mail-server

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.

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: IceWarp Universal WebMail - '/mail/include.html' Crafted HTTP_USER_AGENT Arbitrary File Access

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-2005-4559?

visnetic mail server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; web mail: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; mail server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-4559 being exploited?

CVE-2005-4559 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-2005-4559 affect?

CVE-2005-4559 affects visnetic mail server, web mail, mail server. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). mail/include.html in IceWarp Web Mail 5.5.1, as used by Merak Mail Server 8.3.0r and VisNetic Mail Server version 8.3.0 build 1, does not properly initialize the default_layout and layout_settings variables when an unrecognized HTTP_USER_AG

How urgent is CVE-2005-4559?

Priority 46/100. EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2006-0818 MEDIUM 4.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Absolute path directory traversal vulnerability in (1) MERAK Mail Server for Windows 8.3.8r with before IceWar
CVE-2006-0817 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Absolute path directory traversal vulnerability in (a) MERAK Mail Server for Windows 8.3.8r with before IceWar
CVE-2005-4558 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE IceWarp Web Mail 5.5.1, as used by Merak Mail Server 8.3.0r and VisNetic Mail Server version 8.3.0 build 1, do
CVE-2005-4557 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE dir/include.html in IceWarp Web Mail 5.5.1, as used by Merak Mail Server 8.3.0r and VisNetic Mail Server versi
CVE-2005-4556 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE PHP remote file include vulnerability in IceWarp Web Mail 5.5.1, as used by Merak Mail Server 8.3.0r and VisNe

References

← Back to latest CVEs