CVE-2002-0129: efax 0.9 and earlier, when installed setuid root, allows local users to read arbitrary files via the -d option

Routine

LOW 2.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0129 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting efax. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

efax 0.9 and earlier, when installed setuid root, allows local users to read arbitrary files via the -d option, which prints the contents of the file in a warning message.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 72%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-03-25
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: efax

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-03-25 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

efax efax DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.8a · 0.9 · 0.9a

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.8a

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.8a (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison efax sudo apt install efax=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.8a> sudo apt-mark hold efax

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

dnf --showduplicates list efax sudo dnf downgrade efax-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.8a> sudo dnf versionlock add efax

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-2002-0129?

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

Is CVE-2002-0129 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0129 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-2002-0129 affect?

CVE-2002-0129 affects efax. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). efax 0.9 and earlier, when installed setuid root, allows local users to read arbitrary files via the -d option, which prints the contents of the file in a warning message.

How urgent is CVE-2002-0129?

Priority 14/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2002-0130 HIGH 7.2 DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in efax 0.9 and earlier, when installed setuid root, allows local users to execute arbitrary c

References

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