CVE-2006-2447: SpamAssassin before 3.1.3, when running with vpopmail and the paranoid (-P) switch, allows remote attackers to

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MEDIUM 5.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-2447 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.1) affecting spamassassin. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SpamAssassin before 3.1.3, when running with vpopmail and the paranoid (-P) switch, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted message that is not properly handled when invoking spamd with the virtual pop username.

Why this priority

EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.1 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	75.8% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2006-06-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: apache

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-06-06 21:06 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apache spamassassin DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.1.0 · 3.1.1 · 3.1.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison spamassassin sudo apt install spamassassin=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1.0> sudo apt-mark hold spamassassin

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

dnf --showduplicates list spamassassin sudo dnf downgrade spamassassin-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1.0> 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.

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: SpamAssassin spamd - Remote Command Execution (Metasploit)
Exploit-DB: SpamAssassin spamd 3.1.3 - Command Injection (Metasploit)
Metasploit: SpamAssassin spamd Remote Command Execution

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-2006-2447?

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

Is CVE-2006-2447 being exploited?

CVE-2006-2447 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-2006-2447 affect?

CVE-2006-2447 affects spamassassin. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.1). SpamAssassin before 3.1.3, when running with vpopmail and the paranoid (-P) switch, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted message that is not properly handled when invoking spamd with the virtual pop username.

How urgent is CVE-2006-2447?

Priority 53/100. EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

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References

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