Key improvements in Exim 4.99-RC2 include critical bug fixes addressing out-of-bounds reads and crashes, alongside the introduction of new features such as the TLS-on-connect performance enhancement through the "tls_early_banner_hosts" option. The update also incorporates support for sieve_inbox options in redirect routers, connection_id variables, and SMTP event notifications that provide feedback on protocol failures.
In terms of security, Exim 4.99-RC2 resolves several vulnerabilities, notably CVE-2025-26794 and CVE-2025-30232, ensuring a safer environment for email transmission. The update enhances user experience with new logging capabilities, including a log_ports option for filtering logged port numbers and refined delivery log entries detailing SMTP protocol startup sequences.
Additional features include improved authentication mechanisms with expanded lookup support for JSON, LDAP, and various email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and ARC. Users can now also customize their Exim installation by choosing to omit Exim and Sieve filters during the build process. Furthermore, most driver types can be compiled as loadable modules, providing greater flexibility in system architecture.
Configuration options have also been expanded, allowing users to randomize hosts in manual route routers and SMTP transport settings, as well as support for SRV records that indicate TLS availability. A command-line option for pre-configuration debugging has been introduced, facilitating easier troubleshooting.
The release candidate is now available for testing under the GNU General Public License and can be downloaded from the official Exim website.
In summary, Exim 4.99-RC2 represents a major step forward in the functionality and security of the Exim MTA, making it a compelling choice for users looking to enhance their email handling capabilities. The continuous improvements and new features reflect the ongoing commitment to developing a robust, secure, and flexible email transfer solution. Users are encouraged to test the release and provide feedback to further refine the final version.
For download, visit: [Exim Release Candidate Download](https://ftp.exim.org/pub/exim/exim4/test/)
Exim 4.99-RC2 released
Exim 4.99-RC2 is a new release candidate of the popular message transfer agent (MTA) that offers extensive facilities for checking incoming mail and flexibility in routing mail. The update includes several key improvements, including bug fixes for issues such as out-of-bounds reads and crashes, as well as the addition of features like a TLS-on-connect performance feature and support for sieve_inbox options in redirect routers. Exim 4.99-RC2 also addresses various security-related issues, including fixes for CVE-2025-26794 and CVE-2025-30232, and introduces new logging capabilities and configuration options to enhance user experience.