CVE-2017-5899: Directory traversal vulnerability in the setuid root helper binary in S-nail (later S-mailx) before 14.8.16 al

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-5899?

s-nail: upgrade to newer than 14.8.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-5899 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5899 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2017-5899 affect?

CVE-2017-5899 affects s-nail. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). Directory traversal vulnerability in the setuid root helper binary in S-nail (later S-mailx) before 14.8.16 allows local users to write to arbitrary files and consequently gain root privileges via a .. (dot dot) in the randstr argument.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-5899?

Priority 45/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.0UPGRADE

CVE-2017-5899 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting s-nail. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in the setuid root helper binary in S-nail (later S-mailx) before 14.8.16 allows local users to write to arbitrary files and consequently gain root privileges via a .. (dot dot) in the randstr argument.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.0 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 38%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22, CWE-362
Published	2017-03-27
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: s-nail project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-03-27 15:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:21 UTCUpdated Record last modified

s-nail project s-nail UPGRADE

Affected: <= 14.8.5

Fixed in: newer than 14.8.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy s-nail || rpm -q s-nail || s-nail --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 14.8.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade s-nail

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade s-nail

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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: S-nail < 14.8.16 - Local Privilege Escalation

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-2017-5899?

s-nail: upgrade to newer than 14.8.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-5899 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5899 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-2017-5899 affect?

CVE-2017-5899 affects s-nail. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). Directory traversal vulnerability in the setuid root helper binary in S-nail (later S-mailx) before 14.8.16 allows local users to write to arbitrary files and consequently gain root privileges via a .. (dot dot) in the randstr argument.

How urgent is CVE-2017-5899?

Priority 45/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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