CVE-2000-0844: Some functions that implement the locale subsystem on Unix do not properly cleanse user-injected format strin

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2000-0844 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting openlinux ebuilder, immunix, linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Some functions that implement the locale subsystem on Unix do not properly cleanse user-injected format strings, which allows local attackers to execute arbitrary commands via functions such as gettext and catopen.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	15.6% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2000-11-14
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: caldera · conectiva · immunix · sgi

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2000-11-14 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

caldera openlinux ebuilder DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy openlinux-ebuilder || rpm -q openlinux-ebuilder || openlinux-ebuilder --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openlinux-ebuilder sudo apt install openlinux-ebuilder=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold openlinux-ebuilder

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list openlinux-ebuilder sudo dnf downgrade openlinux-ebuilder-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add openlinux-ebuilder

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

immunix immunix DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy immunix || rpm -q immunix || immunix --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison immunix sudo apt install immunix=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.2> sudo apt-mark hold immunix

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list immunix sudo dnf downgrade immunix-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.2> sudo dnf versionlock add immunix

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

conectiva linux MITIGATE

Affected: 4.0 · 4.0es · 4.1 · 4.2 · 5.0 · 5.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

sgi irix MITIGATE

Affected: 6.2 · 6.3 · 6.4 · 6.5 · 6.5.1 · 6.5.2m · 6.5.3 · 6.5.3f

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.2

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

caldera openlinux MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

caldera openlinux eserver MITIGATE

Affected: 2.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Immunix OS 6.2 - LC glibc format string
Exploit-DB: GLIBC - '/bin/su' Local Privilege Escalation
Exploit-DB: GLIBC locale - bug mount
Exploit-DB: GLIBC locale - Format Strings
Exploit-DB: RedHat 6 GLIBC/locale - Subsystem Format String
Exploit-DB: Solaris 2.6/7.0 'eject' locale - Subsystem Format String
Exploit-DB: Solaris 2.6/7.0 - 'locale' Format Strings noexec stack Overflow
Exploit-DB: Solaris 2.6/7.0 /locale - Subsystem Format String

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2000-0844?

openlinux ebuilder: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; immunix: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2000-0844 being exploited?

CVE-2000-0844 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2000-0844 affect?

CVE-2000-0844 affects openlinux ebuilder, immunix, linux. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Some functions that implement the locale subsystem on Unix do not properly cleanse user-injected format strings, which allows local attackers to execute arbitrary commands via functions such as gettext and catopen.

How urgent is CVE-2000-0844?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

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References

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