CVE-2013-4223: The Gentoo Nullmailer package before 1.11-r2 uses world-readable permissions for /etc/nullmailer/remotes, whic

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2013-4223 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting nullmailer. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Gentoo Nullmailer package before 1.11-r2 uses world-readable permissions for /etc/nullmailer/remotes, which allows local users to obtain SMTP authentication credentials by reading the file.

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	1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2014-05-23
Last modified	2026-06-16

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-05-23 14:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gentoo nullmailer DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.11

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.11

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.11 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison nullmailer sudo apt install nullmailer=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.11> sudo apt-mark hold nullmailer

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

dnf --showduplicates list nullmailer sudo dnf downgrade nullmailer-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.11> sudo dnf versionlock add nullmailer

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-2013-4223?

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

Is CVE-2013-4223 being exploited?

CVE-2013-4223 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-2013-4223 affect?

CVE-2013-4223 affects nullmailer. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The Gentoo Nullmailer package before 1.11-r2 uses world-readable permissions for /etc/nullmailer/remotes, which allows local users to obtain SMTP authentication credentials by reading the file.

How urgent is CVE-2013-4223?

Priority 35/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2002-1313 LOW 2.1 DOWNGRADE nullmailer 1.00RC5 and earlier allows local users to cause a denial of service via an email to a local user th

References

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