CVE-2009-5121: Websense Email Security 7.1 before Hotfix 4 allows remote attackers to bypass the sender-based blacklist by us

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-5121 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting websense email security. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Websense Email Security 7.1 before Hotfix 4 allows remote attackers to bypass the sender-based blacklist by using the 8BITMIME EHLO keyword in the SMTP session.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 31%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2012-08-23
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: websense

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-08-23 10:32 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:15 UTCUpdated Record last modified

websense websense email security DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy websense-email-security || rpm -q websense-email-security || websense-email-security --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison websense-email-security sudo apt install websense-email-security=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.1> sudo apt-mark hold websense-email-security

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

dnf --showduplicates list websense-email-security sudo dnf downgrade websense-email-security-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.1> sudo dnf versionlock add websense-email-security

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.

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-2009-5121?

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

Is CVE-2009-5121 being exploited?

CVE-2009-5121 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-2009-5121 affect?

CVE-2009-5121 affects websense email security. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Websense Email Security 7.1 before Hotfix 4 allows remote attackers to bypass the sender-based blacklist by using the 8BITMIME EHLO keyword in the SMTP session.

How urgent is CVE-2009-5121?

Priority 35/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2012-4605 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The default configuration of the SMTP component in Websense Email Security 6.1 through 7.3 enables weak SSL ci
CVE-2009-5131 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE The Receive Service in Websense Email Security before 7.1 does not recognize domain extensions in the blacklis
CVE-2009-5130 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE The Rules Service in Websense Email Security before 7.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (
CVE-2009-5122 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE The Personal Email Manager component in Websense Email Security before 7.2 allows remote attackers to obtain p

References

← Back to latest CVEs