CVE-2026-116266

MIME::Head versions from 5.518 before 5.521 for Perl decode a partly encoded multipart boundary without flagging the parse as ambiguous

Published Oct 28, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
MIME::Head versions from 5.518 before 5.521 for Perl decode a partly encoded multipart boundary without flagging the parse as ambiguous.

The multipart_boundary() method decodes RFC 2047 encoded words anywhere in the boundary, but the ambiguity check only fires when the whole value is one encoded word. A boundary such as abc=?us-ascii?Q?def?= is used as abcdef, and ambiguous_content() returns false.

Encoded words are not allowed in parameters, so other mail readers split the message on the literal value. A remote sender can hide an attachment from a filter that relies on ambiguous_content() while the recipient's mail client shows it.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade to MIME-tools 5.521 or later.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-115
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Perl
Perl mime::head
Vendors & Products Perl
Perl mime::head
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description MIME::Head versions from 5.518 before 5.521 for Perl decode a partly encoded multipart boundary without flagging the parse as ambiguous. The multipart_boundary() method decodes RFC 2047 encoded words anywhere in the boundary, but the ambiguity check only fires when the whole value is one encoded word. A boundary such as abc=?us-ascii?Q?def?= is used as abcdef, and ambiguous_content() returns false. Encoded words are not allowed in parameters, so other mail readers split the message on the literal value. A remote sender can hide an attachment from a filter that relies on ambiguous_content() while the recipient's mail client shows it.
Title MIME::Head versions from 5.518 before 5.521 for Perl decode a partly encoded multipart boundary without flagging the parse as ambiguous
Weaknesses CWE-436
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
CPANSec
Published
Updated
Nov 5, 2026, 8:21 PM
Reserved
Oct 25, 2026, 6:05 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Oct 28, 2026, 6:17 PM
Modified
Nov 5, 2026, 9:18 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 28, 2026, 5:32 PM