CVE-2001-0961: Buffer overflow in tab expansion capability of the most program allows local or remote attackers to execute ar

This month

HIGH 10.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2001-0961 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting most. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in tab expansion capability of the most program allows local or remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed file that is viewed with most.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.5% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2001-09-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: john e. davis

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2001-09-18 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:55 UTCUpdated Record last modified

john e. davis most DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.4 · 4.5 · 4.6 · 4.7 · 4.9.0 · 4.9.1 · 4.41

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison most sudo apt install most=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.4> sudo apt-mark hold most

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

dnf --showduplicates list most sudo dnf downgrade most-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.4> sudo dnf versionlock add most

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.

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-2001-0961?

most: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2001-0961 being exploited?

CVE-2001-0961 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-2001-0961 affect?

CVE-2001-0961 affects most. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Buffer overflow in tab expansion capability of the most program allows local or remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed file that is viewed with most.

How urgent is CVE-2001-0961?

Priority 58/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

Related CVEs

CVE-2016-1253 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE The most package in Debian wheezy before 5.0.0a-2.2, in Debian jessie before 5.0.0a-2.3+deb8u1, and in Debian

References

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