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

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HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2001-1467 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting expect. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

mkpasswd in expect 5.2.8, as used by Red Hat Linux 6.2 through 7.0, seeds its random number generator with its process ID, which limits the space of possible seeds and makes it easier for attackers to conduct brute force password attacks.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.6% (top 15%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2001-04-11
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: don libes

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2001-04-11 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

don libes expect DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.2.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.2.8

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.2.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison expect sudo apt install expect=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.2.8> sudo apt-mark hold expect

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

dnf --showduplicates list expect sudo dnf downgrade expect-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.2.8> 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.

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-2001-1467?

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

Is CVE-2001-1467 being exploited?

CVE-2001-1467 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-2001-1467 affect?

CVE-2001-1467 affects expect. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). mkpasswd in expect 5.2.8, as used by Red Hat Linux 6.2 through 7.0, seeds its random number generator with its process ID, which limits the space of possible seeds and makes it easier for attackers to conduct brute force password attacks.

How urgent is CVE-2001-1467?

Priority 53/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2001-1374 HIGH 7.2 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE expect before 5.32 searches for its libraries in /var/tmp before other directories, which could allow local us

References

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