---
title: "CVE-2017-16944: The receive_msg function in receive.c… | CubePath"
description: "The receive_msg function in receive.c in the SMTP daemon in Exim 4.88 and 4.89 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop…"
language: en
source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-16944
---

# CVE-2017-16944: The receive_msg function in receive.c… | CubePath

## Description

The receive\_msg function in receive.c in the SMTP daemon in Exim 4.88 and 4.89 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and stack exhaustion) via vectors involving BDAT commands and an improper check for a '.' character signifying the end of the content, related to the bdat\_getc function.

Official description from the CVE record, published by mitre. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-16944)

## Key data

### EPSS

Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days.

Score

0.63358 (63.4% probability)

Percentile

99.2%

Scores of

Nov 10, 2026

Model

v2026.06.15

## References

Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control.

- [lists.exim.org/lurker/message/20171125.034842.d1d75cac.en.h…](https://lists.exim.org/lurker/message/20171125.034842.d1d75cac.en.html)
- [openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/25/3](http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/25/3)
- [bugs.exim.org/show\_bug.cgi?id=2201](https://bugs.exim.org/show%5Fbug.cgi?id=2201)
- [openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/25/1](http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/25/1)
- [1039873](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039873)  (securitytracker.com) vdb-entry
- [openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/25/2](http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/25/2)
- [DSA-4053](https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-4053)  (debian.org) vendor-advisory
- [43184](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43184/)  (exploit-db.com) exploit
- [\[oss-security\] 20210504 21Nails: Multiple vulnerabilities in Exim](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/04/7)  (openwall.com) mailing-list

## Timeline

1. ID reserved Nov 25, 2017
2. Record published Nov 25, 2017
3. Record last updated Aug 5, 2024

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## About CubePath

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Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:59 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)