CVE-2002-0497: Buffer overflow in mtr 0.46 and earlier, when installed setuid root, allows local users to access a raw socket

Routine

LOW 2.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0497 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting mtr. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in mtr 0.46 and earlier, when installed setuid root, allows local users to access a raw socket via a long MTR_OPTIONS environment variable.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 57%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-08-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mtr

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-08-12 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mtr mtr DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.41

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.41

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.41 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mtr sudo apt install mtr=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.41> sudo apt-mark hold mtr

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

dnf --showduplicates list mtr sudo dnf downgrade mtr-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.41> sudo dnf versionlock add mtr

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-2002-0497?

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

Is CVE-2002-0497 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0497 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-2002-0497 affect?

CVE-2002-0497 affects mtr. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). Buffer overflow in mtr 0.46 and earlier, when installed setuid root, allows local users to access a raw socket via a long MTR_OPTIONS environment variable.

How urgent is CVE-2002-0497?

Priority 23/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2008-2357 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE Stack-based buffer overflow in the split_redraw function in split.c in mtr before 0.73, when invoked with the
CVE-2004-1224 MEDIUM 4.6 DOWNGRADE Off-by-one error in the mtr_curses_keyaction function for mtr 0.55 through 0.65 allows local users to hijack r
CVE-2000-0172 HIGH 7.2 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE The mtr program only uses a seteuid call when attempting to drop privileges, which could allow local users to

References

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