CVE-2003-0468: Medium severity wietse venema postfix vulnerability
Postfix 1.1.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to use Postfix to conduct "bounce scans" or DDos attacks of other hosts via an email address to the local host containing the target IP address and service name followed by a "!" string, which causes Postfix to attempt to use SMTP to communicate with the target on the associated port.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Compensating control
On the mail host or network perimeter, block outbound SMTP connections to arbitrary external hosts by denying outbound TCP port 25 to the Internet except to explicitly approved relay hosts. Implement firewall/ACL rules to allow outbound port 25 only to those approved relay IPs.
- Operational
Inspect Postfix mail logs for recipient addresses containing a '!' pattern that include an IP address and service name and for any corresponding outbound connection attempts initiated by Postfix. Investigate and block or rate-limit abusive senders and create alerts for such patterns.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2003-0468?
CVE-2003-0468 is considered a critical vulnerability due to its potential for remote exploitation and the ability to conduct DDoS attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2003-0468?
To fix CVE-2003-0468, upgrade to a version of Postfix that is later than 1.1.11, as this version addresses the vulnerability.
What systems are affected by CVE-2003-0468?
CVE-2003-0468 affects Postfix versions 1.1.11 and earlier, as well as various older versions of Conectiva Linux.
What is the impact of CVE-2003-0468?
The impact of CVE-2003-0468 includes the potential for remote attackers to use Postfix for bounce scans or DDoS attacks against other hosts.
Who can be affected by CVE-2003-0468?
Any organization using vulnerable versions of Postfix is at risk of being exploited via CVE-2003-0468.