CVE-2001-1374: expect before 5.32 searches for its libraries in /var/tmp before other directories, which could allow local us

Routine

HIGH 7.2WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2001-1374 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting expect, linux, linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

expect before 5.32 searches for its libraries in /var/tmp before other directories, which could allow local users to gain root privileges via a Trojan horse library that is accessed by mkpasswd.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 69%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2001-07-19
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: conectiva · don libes · redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2001-07-19 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

don libes expect DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0 · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5.0 · 5.1 · 5.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison expect sudo apt install expect=<VERSION_BEFORE_0> sudo apt-mark hold expect

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

dnf --showduplicates list expect sudo dnf downgrade expect-<VERSION_BEFORE_0> sudo dnf versionlock add expect

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: 6.0 · 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.

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.

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-2001-1374?

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

Is CVE-2001-1374 being exploited?

CVE-2001-1374 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-2001-1374 affect?

CVE-2001-1374 affects expect, linux, linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). expect before 5.32 searches for its libraries in /var/tmp before other directories, which could allow local users to gain root privileges via a Trojan horse library that is accessed by mkpasswd.

How urgent is CVE-2001-1374?

Priority 38/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2001-1467 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE mkpasswd in expect 5.2.8, as used by Red Hat Linux 6.2 through 7.0, seeds its random number generator with its

References

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