CVE-2002-0343: Hotline Client 1.8.5 stores sensitive user information, including passwords, in plaintext in the bookmarks fil

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0343 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting hotline connect. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Hotline Client 1.8.5 stores sensitive user information, including passwords, in plaintext in the bookmarks file, which could allow local users with access to the bookmarks file to gain privileges by extracting the passwords.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 63%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-06-25
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: hotline communications

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-06-25 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hotline communications hotline connect DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.8.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.8.5

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy hotline-connect || rpm -q hotline-connect || hotline-connect --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.8.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison hotline-connect sudo apt install hotline-connect=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.8.5> sudo apt-mark hold hotline-connect

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

dnf --showduplicates list hotline-connect sudo dnf downgrade hotline-connect-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.8.5> sudo dnf versionlock add hotline-connect

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-2002-0343?

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

Is CVE-2002-0343 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0343 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-2002-0343 affect?

CVE-2002-0343 affects hotline connect. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Hotline Client 1.8.5 stores sensitive user information, including passwords, in plaintext in the bookmarks file, which could allow local users with access to the bookmarks file to gain privileges by extracting the passwords.

How urgent is CVE-2002-0343?

Priority 30/100. Public exploit reference

References

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