# What is CVE-2001-0690? > CVE-2001-0690 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) in Exim from University of Cambridge, published on 20 September 2001. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 12%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix. Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2001-0690 ## At a glance - **Verdict:** Fix this soon. Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month. - **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 50 out of 100 (Medium); action: Plan remediation. Kept up to date as the evidence changes. - **Severity:** High (CVSS 7.5 out of 10) - **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today - **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 12% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast) - **Published:** 20 September 2001 - **Record last updated:** 16 June 2026 - **Main product:** Exim from University of Cambridge - **Affected products:** 4 ## What is CVE-2001-0690? In plain terms It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in. If it works, the attacker can read some data, change some data and slow it down. ### The official description Format string vulnerability in exim (3.22-10 in Red Hat, 3.12 in Debian and 3.16 in Conectiva) in batched SMTP mode allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via format strings in SMTP mail headers. ### What kind of flaw is it? - Unknown: Unknown ### How an attack on it works - Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet - How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions - Login needed first: No login needed - What an attacker gets: Can read some data, change some data and slow it down Severity vector: `AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P` ## Is CVE-2001-0690 being exploited? Not that we know of It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 12%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching. Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 12%, 12%, 12%, 12%, 12%, 12%, 12%. ### Timeline - 20 September 2001: Published - 7 March 2023: Exploit likelihood jumped - 18 July 2023: Exploit likelihood fell - 16 June 2026: Record last updated ### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it CVE-2001-0690 scores **50 out of 100 (Medium)**, with the action "Plan remediation". Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less: - Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor - How severe it is: strong factor - How widely exposed it is: smaller factor - Threat activity around it: smaller factor 85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it. ## Who is affected by CVE-2001-0690? The published record lists 4 products. - [Exim](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/university_of_cambridge/exim) by [University of Cambridge](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/university_of_cambridge) (Application): up to 3.22 - [Debian Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/debian/debian_linux) by [Debian](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/debian) (Operating system): 4.0 - [Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/conectiva/linux) by [Conectiva](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/conectiva) (Operating system): all versions - [Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/linux) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): all versions ## How do I fix CVE-2001-0690? 1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list. 2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisories and patch notes first in the list. 3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in. 4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood. ### References - [debian.org](http://www.debian.org/security/2001/dsa-058) (Patch, Vendor advisory) - [redhat.com](http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2001-078.html) (Patch, Vendor advisory) - [archives.neohapsis.com](http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2001-06/0041.html) (Exploit, Vendor advisory) - [distro.conectiva.com.br](http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000402) - [securityfocus.com](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2828) - [exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/6671) ## Questions ### What is CVE-2001-0690? CVE-2001-0690 is a high-severity flaw in Exim from University of Cambridge, published on 20 September 2001. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in. If it works, the attacker can read some data, change some data and slow it down. ### How serious is CVE-2001-0690? It scores 7.5 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is high. Our risk score for CVE-2001-0690 is 50 out of 100, which is Medium. Its action is "Plan remediation". Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month. ### Is CVE-2001-0690 being exploited? It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 12%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching. ### Which versions does CVE-2001-0690 affect? For Exim from University of Cambridge: up to 3.22. The record lists 4 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page. ### How do I fix CVE-2001-0690? Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet. ## Does CVE-2001-0690 affect you? Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you: - **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website. - **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list. - **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it. - **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools. Start free (no card, nothing to install): https://www.precursorintelligence.com/register Book a demo: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/contact