CVE-2001-0178: kdesu program in KDE2 (KDE before 2.2.0-6) does not properly verify the owner of a UNIX socket that is used to

Routine

LOW 2.1WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2001-0178 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting linux, openlinux edesktop, mandrake linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

kdesu program in KDE2 (KDE before 2.2.0-6) does not properly verify the owner of a UNIX socket that is used to send a password, which allows local users to steal passwords and gain privileges.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 70%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2001-03-26
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: caldera · conectiva · mandrakesoft · suse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2001-03-26 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

conectiva linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

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.

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.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.1 · 7.0 · 7.1 · 7.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.1

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.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux corporate server MITIGATE

Affected: 1.0.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.1

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.

suse suse linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0 · 6.1 · 6.2 · 6.3 · 6.4 · 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

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.

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-2001-0178?

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

Is CVE-2001-0178 being exploited?

CVE-2001-0178 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-2001-0178 affect?

CVE-2001-0178 affects linux, openlinux edesktop, mandrake linux. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). kdesu program in KDE2 (KDE before 2.2.0-6) does not properly verify the owner of a UNIX socket that is used to send a password, which allows local users to steal passwords and gain privileges.

How urgent is CVE-2001-0178?

Priority 20/100. On your watchlist

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References

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