CVE-2000-0917: Format string vulnerability in use_syslog() function in LPRng 3.6.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitr

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2000-0917 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting openlinux ebuilder, openlinux, openlinux edesktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Format string vulnerability in use_syslog() function in LPRng 3.6.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	78.7% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2000-12-19
Last modified	2026-09-23

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: caldera · redhat · trustix

Last updated 2026-09-23 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2000-12-19 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-23 10:10 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.

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 edesktop MITIGATE

Affected: 2.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.4

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.

redhat linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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.

trustix secure linux MITIGATE

Affected: 1.0 · 1.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · rust-cargo-semver-checks · FIXED · 0.51.0-7.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-1bbb7e855a · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-1bbb7e855a

Fedora ELN · fuse-sshfs · FIXED · 3.7.6-3.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-bcb7be7c5c · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-bcb7be7c5c

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: LPRng (RedHat 7.0) - 'lpd' Format String
Exploit-DB: LPRng - use_syslog Remote Format String (Metasploit)
Exploit-DB: LPRng 3.6.22/23/24 - Remote Command Execution
Exploit-DB: LPRng 3.6.24-1 - Remote Command Execution
Metasploit: LPRng use_syslog Remote Format String Vulnerability

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-2000-0917?

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

Is CVE-2000-0917 being exploited?

CVE-2000-0917 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-2000-0917 affect?

CVE-2000-0917 affects openlinux ebuilder, openlinux, openlinux edesktop. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Format string vulnerability in use_syslog() function in LPRng 3.6.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.

How urgent is CVE-2000-0917?

Priority 70/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2000-0844 HIGH 10.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Some functions that implement the locale subsystem on Unix do not properly cleanse user-injected format strin
CVE-2000-0594 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE BitchX IRC client does not properly cleanse an untrusted format string, which allows remote attackers to cause

References

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