PatchTheCVECVE-2026-0394: When dovecot has been configured to use per-domain passwd files, and they are placed one path component above
CVE-2026-0394 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting dovecot, dovecot. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
When dovecot has been configured to use per-domain passwd files, and they are placed one path component above /etc, or slash has been added to allowed characters, path traversal can happen if the domain component is directory partial. This allows inadvertently reading /etc/passwd (or some other path which ends with passwd). If this file contains passwords, it can be used to authenticate wrongly, or if this is userdb, it can unexpectly make system
Why this priority
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 5.3 (Medium) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 0.4% (top 62%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-22 |
| Published | 2026-03-27 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-26 |
Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
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-2026-0394?
dovecot: upgrade to 2.4.0; dovecot: upgrade to 3.1.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2026-0394 being exploited?
CVE-2026-0394 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-2026-0394 affect?
CVE-2026-0394 affects dovecot, dovecot. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). When dovecot has been configured to use per-domain passwd files, and they are placed one path component above /etc, or slash has been added to allowed characters, path traversal can happen if the domain component is directory partial. This
How urgent is CVE-2026-0394?
Priority 33/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
Software pages
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