CVE-2003-0161: n/a vulnerability

CVE-2003-0161: The prescan() function in the address parser (parseaddr.c) in Sendmail before 8.12.9 does not properly hand...

The prescan() function in the address parser (parseaddr.c) in Sendmail before 8.12.9 does not properly handle certain conversions from char and int types, which can cause a length check to be disabled when Sendmail misinterprets an input value as a special "NOCHAR" control value, allowing attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow attack using messages, a different vulnerability than CVE-2002-1337.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdatedAug 8, 2024, 01:43 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Security readout for executives and security teams

Sendmail versions before 8.12.9 can mishandle specially formed email address data while parsing messages. That parsing flaw can crash the mail service and may allow code execution. Business risk is highest for legacy internet-facing mail servers still running old Sendmail or unverified vendor backports. Exposure is most likely on legacy systems running Sendmail before 8.12.9, especially SMTP servers accepting inbound mail. The bundle lists multiple 2003 vendor advisories, but does not provide precise CPEs or package-version mappings. Treat as high priority for any legacy mail infrastructure. The issue is old, but mail servers are commonly exposed, and the impact includes service outage and possible code execution. Modern environments with no old Sendmail exposure have low urgency after verification. Mitigation focus: Upgrade Sendmail to 8.12.9 or a vendor-fixed backport.; Apply relevant OS vendor advisories for affected Sendmail packages.; Prioritize internet-facing SMTP hosts and mail relays..

Prepared: Jun 30, 2026, 20:12 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2003-0161 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup

Vulnerability profileCVE Program record

Severity: Unknown
CVSS: Not scored
Known Exploited: No
Published: Apr 1, 2003, 05:00 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors

0Timeline events

0ADP providers

1Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus

n/an/an/aListed

Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.