CVE-2001-1540: IPRoute 0.973, 0.974 and 1.18 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via fragmented IP packets t

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2001-1540 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting iproute. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

IPRoute 0.973, 0.974 and 1.18 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via fragmented IP packets that split the TCP header.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 31%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2001-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: david f. mischler

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2001-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

david f. mischler iproute DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.973 · 0.974 · 1.18

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.973

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.973 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison iproute sudo apt install iproute=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.973> sudo apt-mark hold iproute

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

dnf --showduplicates list iproute sudo dnf downgrade iproute-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.973> sudo dnf versionlock add iproute

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-2001-1540?

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

Is CVE-2001-1540 being exploited?

CVE-2001-1540 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-2001-1540 affect?

CVE-2001-1540 affects iproute. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). IPRoute 0.973, 0.974 and 1.18 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via fragmented IP packets that split the TCP header.

How urgent is CVE-2001-1540?

Priority 35/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2003-0856 MEDIUM 4.9 UPGRADE iproute 2.4.7 and earlier allows local users to cause a denial of service via spoofed messages as other users

References

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