CVE-1999-1551: Buffer Overflow

Published Mar 2, 1999
·
Updated

Buffer overflow in Ipswitch IMail Service 5.0 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary commands via a long URL.

Affected Software

2 affected components
Ipswitch IMail=5.0
Ipswitch IMail=6.0

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Remove

    Remove Ipswitch IMail from your environment.

    Uninstall Ipswitch IMail if the product is not required in your environment to eliminate exposure to the vulnerability.

  2. Configuration

    Stop and disable the Ipswitch IMail Service until a vendor-supplied patch or update addressing the buffer overflow is available.

    Ipswitch IMail Service service_enabled = false
  3. Compensating control

    Restrict network access to the IMail service using firewall rules or ACLs so only trusted management hosts or necessary peers can reach the service.

  4. Compensating control

    Deploy a web application firewall or reverse proxy in front of the service to block or normalize excessively long URLs and enforce request length limits.

  5. Operational

    Monitor hosts running Ipswitch IMail for service crashes, unusual process activity, or indicators of compromise. If exploitation is suspected, isolate affected hosts and rotate any credentials or keys that may have been exposed.

Event History

Mar 2, 1999
CVE Published
05:00 AM
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:00 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Sep 12, 2001
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:00 AM
Description

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-1999-1551?

CVE-1999-1551 has a high severity rating due to its capability to cause denial of service and potential remote code execution.

2

How do I fix CVE-1999-1551?

To fix CVE-1999-1551, upgrade the Ipswitch IMail Service to a version that is not affected, preferably version 6.1 or later.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-1999-1551?

CVE-1999-1551 affects Ipswitch IMail versions 5.0 and 6.0.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-1999-1551?

CVE-1999-1551 is classified as a buffer overflow vulnerability.

5

Can CVE-1999-1551 be exploited remotely?

Yes, CVE-1999-1551 can be exploited remotely through the submission of a long URL.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203