CVE-2002-0062: Buffer overflow in ncurses 5.0, and the ncurses4 compatibility package as used in Red Hat Linux, allows local

Q: How do I fix CVE-2002-0062?

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

Q: Is CVE-2002-0062 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0062 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2002-0062 affect?

CVE-2002-0062 affects debian linux, freebsd, linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Buffer overflow in ncurses 5.0, and the ncurses4 compatibility package as used in Red Hat Linux, allows local users to gain privileges, related to "routines for moving the physical cursor and scrolling."

Q: How urgent is CVE-2002-0062?

Priority 41/100. High severity; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.2WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2002-0062 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting debian linux, freebsd, linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in ncurses 5.0, and the ncurses4 compatibility package as used in Red Hat Linux, allows local users to gain privileges, related to "routines for moving the physical cursor and scrolling."

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 58%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2002-03-08
Last modified	2026-07-23

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · freebsd · invisible-island · redhat · suse

Last updated 2026-07-23 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-03-08 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-23 18:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 2.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2

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.

freebsd freebsd MITIGATE

Affected: 3.1 · 3.2 · 3.3 · 3.4 · 3.5 · 3.5.1 · 4.0 · 4.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1

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.

redhat 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.

suse suse linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.2 · 6.3 · 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.2

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.

invisible-island ncurses UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.0

Fixed in: 5.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade ncurses

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ncurses

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2002-0062?

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

Is CVE-2002-0062 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0062 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-2002-0062 affect?

CVE-2002-0062 affects debian linux, freebsd, linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Buffer overflow in ncurses 5.0, and the ncurses4 compatibility package as used in Red Hat Linux, allows local users to gain privileges, related to "routines for moving the physical cursor and scrolling."

How urgent is CVE-2002-0062?

Priority 41/100. High severity; On your watchlist

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References

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