SMTP smuggling in Apache James
Apache James prior to versions 3.8.1 and 3.7.5 is vulnerable to SMTP smuggling.
A lenient behaviour in line delimiter handling might create a difference of interpretation between the sender and the receiver which can be exploited by an attacker to forge an SMTP envelop, allowing for instance to bypass SPF checks.
The patch implies enforcement of CRLF as a line delimiter as part of the DATA transaction.
We recommend James users to upgrade to non vulnerable versions.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.james:james-server | < 3.7.5, >= 3.8.0, < 3.8.1 | 3.7.5, 3.8.1 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-51747
- https://github.com/apache/james-project/commit/d1ef102540e504c067b6c1721a6f1e7eee9c6fc6
- https://github.com/apache/james-project/commit/d5cd8bb098aa78d8d62c9645f3c532689ef1cb03
- https://github.com/apache/james-project
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/rxkwbkh9vgbl9rzx1fkllyk3krhgydko
- https://postfix.org/smtp-smuggling.html
- https://sec-consult.com/blog/detail/smtp-smuggling-spoofing-e-mails-worldwide
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/27/4
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-20, CWE-290- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.james:james-server- Disclosed
- 27.02.2024
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-p5q9-86w4-2xr5 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.james:james-server
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 11
- First → latest
- 01.2022 02.2024
- Without a fix
- 1
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 4
- Medium 5
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 8
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 2
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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