CVE-2004-2650: Apache James Denial of Service
Summary
CVE-2004-2650: Apache James Denial of Service. Affects org.apache.james:james-server versions < 2.2.0. Fixed in 2.2.0. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
Apache James is a popular email server that provides a platform for sending, receiving, and managing email messages. It is widely used in various applications and environments. However, versions prior to 2.2.0 are vulnerable to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack that can be triggered by local users. This vulnerability affects the spooler component of Apache James and can lead to excessive memory consumption, causing the server to become unresponsive.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Apache James arises from various error conditions in the retrieve function of the spooler component. When these error conditions occur, a lock is not released properly, resulting in a memory leak. An attacker with local access to the server can exploit this vulnerability to consume excessive memory resources, leading to a DoS condition. This can impact the availability and performance of the email server, potentially disrupting email communication for users.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 3.9.1 as of 22 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
2.2.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no specific workaround provided for this vulnerability. The recommended approach is to apply the fix by upgrading to Apache James version 2.2.0 or later.
Conclusion
The Apache James Denial of Service vulnerability (CVE-2004-2650) can be mitigated by upgrading to Apache James version 2.2.0 or later. This upgrade ensures the proper release of locks and prevents memory consumption, safeguarding the availability and performance of the email server. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for org.apache.james:james-server →
FAQ
Apache James is an email server that enables the sending, receiving, and management of email messages.
The vulnerability can be exploited by local users to cause a DoS condition, leading to excessive memory consumption and potential unresponsiveness of the Apache James server.
To fix this vulnerability, upgrade to Apache James version 2.2.0 or later.
No specific workarounds are provided. It is recommended to apply the fix by upgrading to the latest version of Apache James.
There is no known exploit available for this vulnerability at the moment.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for org.apache.james:james-server.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
