CVE-2002-0402: Buffer overflow in X11 dissector in Ethereal 0.9.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of se

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0402 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting ethereal. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in X11 dissector in Ethereal 0.9.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code while Ethereal is parsing keysyms.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	4.9% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-06-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ethereal group

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-06-18 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ethereal group ethereal DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.9.1 · 0.9.2 · 0.9.3 · 0.9_.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9_.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.9_.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ethereal sudo apt install ethereal=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9_.0> sudo apt-mark hold ethereal

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

dnf --showduplicates list ethereal sudo dnf downgrade ethereal-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9_.0> sudo dnf versionlock add ethereal

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-2002-0402?

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

Is CVE-2002-0402 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0402 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-2002-0402 affect?

CVE-2002-0402 affects ethereal. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Buffer overflow in X11 dissector in Ethereal 0.9.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code while Ethereal is parsing keysyms.

How urgent is CVE-2002-0402?

Priority 49/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited

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References

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