CVE-2026-40686: Exim · Out-of-bounds Read
Affects EximSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 3.7 Low : upgrade to 4.99.2 when convenient.
Data as of 27 Oct 2026, 00:40 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 4.99.2
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 30 Apr 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade Exim to 4.99.2.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Exim Exim | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
A fix is available in Exim version 4.99.2 and later. Users should upgrade to version 4.99.2 or newer to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigation or workaround is indicated.
Description
CVE-2026-40686 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Exim versions before 4.99.2 when UTF-8 operators are enabled. The flaw occurs if malformed UTF-8 header data with large trailing characters is processed, potentially causing information disclosure through error messages during unrelated email handling. The vulnerability has a low severity rating with a CVSS score of 3.7.
References
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/21 (opens in a new tab)
- exim.org/static/doc/security/cve-2026-04.1/CVE2026-40686.assessment (opens in a new tab)
- code.exim.org/exim/exim/commit/f2570bde16fb4d4a1242ff363a4c4eecf6372efc (opens in a new tab)
- exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2026-40686.txt (opens in a new tab)