CVE-2020-7247smtp_mailaddr in smtp_session.c in OpenSMTPD 6.6, as used in OpenBSD 6.6 and other products, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands as root via a crafted SMTP session, as demonstrated…
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It affects openbsd opensmtpd and 3 other products. Add what you run to find out whether that includes you.
CISA lists it as known exploited since Mar 25, 2022; federal agencies had to remediate by Apr 15, 2022. Treat that date as your deadline.
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Free account, 1 product
smtp_mailaddr in smtp_session.c in OpenSMTPD 6.6, as used in OpenBSD 6.6 and other products, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands as root via a crafted SMTP session, as demonstrated by shell metacharacters in a MAIL FROM field. This affects the "uncommented" default configuration. The issue exists because of an incorrect return value upon failure of input validation.
- CVSS
- 9.8 CRITICAL (v3.1, CISA ADP)CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-755
- Known exploited
- Added to CISA KEV Mar 25, 2022; federal remediation due Apr 15, 2022Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- 98.97% (percentile 100)
- Assigned by
- mitre
- NVD analysis
- Analyzed
- Record last updated
- Oct 21, 2025
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
openbsd opensmtpd openbsd:opensmtpd | 6.6 | NVD |
debian debian_linux debian:debian_linux | 9.0; 10.0 | NVD |
fedoraproject fedora fedoraproject:fedora | 32 | NVD |
canonical ubuntu_linux canonical:ubuntu_linux | 18.04; 19.10 | NVD |
References
- https://www.openbsd.org/security.htmlx-refsource-confirm, patch, vendor-advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/01/28/3x-refsource-misc, exploit, mailing-list, third-party-advisory
- https://github.com/openbsd/src/commit/9dcfda045474d8903224d175907bfc29761dcb45x-refsource-confirm, patch
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156137/OpenBSD-OpenSMTPD-Privilege-Escalation-Code-Execution.htmlx-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/51mailing-list, x-refsource-bugtraq, third-party-advisory
- https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4611vendor-advisory, x-refsource-debian, mailing-list, third-party-advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156145/OpenSMTPD-6.6.2-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlx-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/390745third-party-advisory, x-refsource-cert-vn, us-government-resource
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Jan/49mailing-list, x-refsource-fulldisc, exploit, third-party-advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156249/OpenSMTPD-MAIL-FROM-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlx-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156295/OpenSMTPD-6.6.1-Local-Privilege-Escalation.htmlx-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4268-1/vendor-advisory, x-refsource-ubuntu, third-party-advisory
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/OPH4QU4DNVHA7ACFXMYFCEP5PSXXPN4E/vendor-advisory, x-refsource-fedora, mailing-list, third-party-advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162093/OpenBSD-OpenSMTPD-6.6-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlx-refsource-misc, broken-link, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-7247us-government-resource
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.