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CVE-2017-15705

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2....

5.3 MediumFix available

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges needed
None
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
Low

Exploit likelihood

7.88%Up 1.2 points since Apr 14, 2021
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

NVD Score used 5.3

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Record
CVE-2017-15705
CVSS 3.0
5.3 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
CVSS 2.0
5.0 MediumAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P
Weakness
CWE-20
Updated
2026-11-02
CVE List No score

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Record
CVE-2017-15705
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2017-7138 No score

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Record
EUVD-2017-7138
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-m63q-qrvc-wwrm 5.3

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2....

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Record
GHSA-m63q-qrvc-wwrm
CVSS 3.0
5.3 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Weakness
CWE-20
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVALPINE-CVE-2017-15705 5.3

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Record
ALPINE-CVE-2017-15705
CVSS 3.0
5.3 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV 5.3

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Record
CVE-2017-15705
CVSS 3.0
5.3 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Updated
2026-11-02
Show 9 moreShow less
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2017-15705 5.3

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2017-15705
CVSS 3.0
5.3 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVRHSA-2018:2916 8.4

Red Hat Security Advisory: spamassassin security update

Record
RHSA-2018:2916
CVSS 3.0
8.4 HighCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2017-15705 5.3

A denial of service vulnerability was identified that exists in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts. In Apache SpamAssassin, using HTML::Parser, we setup an object and hook into the begin and end tag event handlers In both cases, the "open" event is immediately followed by a "close" event - even if the tag does not close in the HTML being parsed. Because of this, we are missing the "text" event to deal with the object normally. This can cause carefully crafted emails that might take more scan time than expected leading to a Denial of Service. The issue is possibly a bug or design decision in HTML::Parser that specifically impacts the way Apache SpamAssassin uses the module with poorly formed html. The exploit has been seen in the wild but not believed to have been purposefully part of a Denial of Service attempt. We are concerned that there may be attempts to abuse the vulnerability in the future.

Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2017-15705
CVSS 3.0
5.3 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2018-0425 No score

Updated spamassassin packages fix security vulnerabilities

Updated spamassassin package fixes security vulnerabilities:

A reliance on "." in @INC in one configuration script (CVE-2016-1238).

A denial of service vulnerability arises with certain unclosed tags in emails that cause markup to be handled incorrectly leading to scan timeouts (CVE-2017-15705).

A potential Remote Code Execution bug with the PDFInfo plugin (CVE-2018-11780).

A local user code injection in the meta rule syntax (CVE-2018-11781).

Record
MGASA-2018-0425
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2019:1831-1 No score

Security update for spamassassin

This update for spamassassin to version 3.4.2 fixes the following issues:

Security issues fixed:

  • CVE-2018-11781: Fixed an issue where a local user could inject code in the meta rule syntax (bsc#1108748).
  • CVE-2018-11780: Fixed a potential remote code execution vulnerability in the PDFInfo plugin (bsc#1108750).
  • CVE-2017-15705: Fixed a denial of service through unclosed tags in crafted emails (bsc#1108745).
  • CVE-2016-1238: Fixed an issue where perl would load modules from the current directory (bsc#1108749).

Non-security issues fixed:

  • Use systemd timers instead of cron (bsc#1115411)
  • Fixed incompatibility with Net::DNS >= 1.01 (bsc#1107765)
  • Fixed warning about deprecated regex during sa-update (bsc#1069831)

This update was imported from the SUSE:SLE-15:Update update project.

Record
openSUSE-SU-2019:1831-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2024:11395-1 No score

perl-Mail-SpamAssassin-3.4.6-71.3 on GA media

These are all security issues fixed in the perl-Mail-SpamAssassin-3.4.6-71.3 package on the GA media of openSUSE Tumbleweed.

Record
openSUSE-SU-2024:11395-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2019:1961-1 No score

Security update for spamassassin

This update for spamassassin to version 3.4.2 fixes the following issues:

Security issues fixed:

  • CVE-2017-15705: Fixed denial of service via unclosed tags in crafted emails (bsc#1108745).
  • CVE-2018-11781: Fixed a code injection in the meta rule syntax by local users (bsc#1108748).
  • CVE-2018-11780: Fixed a potential remote code execution vulnerability in PDFInfo plugin (bsc#1108750).

Non-security issues fixed:

  • Added four new plugins (disabled by default): HashBL, ResourceLimits, FromNameSpoof, Phishing
  • sa-update script: optional support for SHA-256 / SHA-512 been added for better validation of rules
  • GeoIP2 support has been added to RelayCountry and URILocalBL plugins
  • Several new or enhanced configuration options
Record
SUSE-SU-2019:1961-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2019:2011-1 No score

Security update for spamassassin

This update for spamassassin to version 3.4.2 fixes the following issues:

Security issues fixed:

  • CVE-2018-11781: Fixed an issue where a local user could inject code in the meta rule syntax (bsc#1108748).
  • CVE-2018-11780: Fixed a potential remote code execution vulnerability in the PDFInfo plugin (bsc#1108750).
  • CVE-2017-15705: Fixed a denial of service through unclosed tags in crafted emails (bsc#1108745).
  • CVE-2016-1238: Fixed an issue where perl would load modules from the current directory (bsc#1108749).

Non-security issues fixed:

  • Use systemd timers instead of cron (bsc#1115411)
  • Fixed incompatibility with Net::DNS >= 1.01 (bsc#1107765)
  • Fixed warning about deprecated regex during sa-update (bsc#1069831)
Record
SUSE-SU-2019:2011-1
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVUSN-3811-1 No score

spamassassin vulnerabilities

It was discovered that SpamAssassin incorrectly handled certain unclosed tags in emails. A remote attacker could possibly use this issue to cause a denial of service. (CVE-2017-15705)

It was discovered that SpamAssassin incorrectly handled the PDFInfo plugin. A remote attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2018-11780)

It was discovered that SpamAssassin incorrectly handled meta rule syntax. A local attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2018-11781)

Record
USN-3811-1
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.10
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.11
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.12
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.13
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.14
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.15
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.16
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.17
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.18
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.19
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
Show 32 moreShow less
Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.20
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.21
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.22
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.23
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.24
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.8
before 3.4.3-r0
3.4.3-r0
spamassassin
Alpine:v3.9
before 3.4.2-r0
3.4.2-r0
spamassassin
Debian:12
before 3.4.2-1
3.4.2-1
spamassassin
Debian:13
before 3.4.2-1
3.4.2-1
spamassassin
Debian:14
before 3.4.2-1
3.4.2-1
spamassassin
Debian:8
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-0+deb8u1, plus listed versions
3.4.0-63.4.1-13.4.1-23.4.1-33.4.1-3~bpo8+1
Show 7 moreShow less
3.4.1-43.4.1-53.4.1-5.13.4.1-63.4.1-6~bpo8+13.4.1-73.4.1-8
3.4.2-0+deb8u1
spamassassin
Mageia:6
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-1.5.mga6
3.4.2-1.5.mga6
spamassassin-rules
Mageia:6
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-1.1.mga6
3.4.2-1.1.mga6
spamassassin
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client
From an advisory covering 2 CVEs
before 0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
spamassassin-debuginfo
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client
From an advisory covering 2 CVEs
before 0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
spamassassin
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server
From an advisory covering 2 CVEs
before 0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
spamassassin-debuginfo
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server
From an advisory covering 2 CVEs
before 0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
spamassassin
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation
From an advisory covering 2 CVEs
before 0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
spamassassin-debuginfo
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation
From an advisory covering 2 CVEs
before 0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
0:3.4.0-4.el7_5
spamassassin
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP4
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-44.3.1
3.4.2-44.3.1
spamassassin
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-44.3.1
3.4.2-44.3.1
spamassassin
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP4
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-44.3.1
3.4.2-44.3.1
spamassassin
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-7.4.1
3.4.2-7.4.1
spamassassin
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-7.4.1
3.4.2-7.4.1
spamassassin
Ubuntu:14.04:LTS
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.1, plus listed versions
3.3.2-6ubuntu23.3.2-8ubuntu13.3.2-8ubuntu23.4.0-13.4.0-1ubuntu13.4.0-1ubuntu23.4.0-1ubuntu2.1
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.1
spamassassin
Ubuntu:16.04:LTS
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1, plus listed versions
3.4.1-13.4.1-23.4.1-3
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1
spamassassin
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.1, plus listed versions
3.4.1-73.4.1-83.4.1-8build1
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.1
spamassassin
Ubuntu:14.04:LTS
From an advisory covering 3 CVEs
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.1, plus listed versions
3.3.2-6ubuntu23.3.2-8ubuntu13.3.2-8ubuntu23.4.0-13.4.0-1ubuntu13.4.0-1ubuntu23.4.0-1ubuntu2.1
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.1
spamassassin
Ubuntu:16.04:LTS
From an advisory covering 3 CVEs
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1, plus listed versions
3.4.1-13.4.1-23.4.1-3
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1
spamassassin
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS
From an advisory covering 3 CVEs
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.1, plus listed versions
3.4.1-73.4.1-83.4.1-8build1
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.1
spamassassin
openSUSE:Leap 15.0
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 3.4.2-lp150.6.3.1
3.4.2-lp150.6.3.1
spamassassin
openSUSE:Tumbleweed
From an advisory covering 9 CVEs
before 3.4.6-71.3
3.4.6-71.3

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
affected, facts
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2017-15705 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 5.3) in Apache Spamassassin, published September 17, 2018. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 7.88%, the 94th percentile. Fixed in spamassassin 3.4.2-r0.

References

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