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CVE-2002-0678: CDE ToolTalk database server (ttdbserver) allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack

49
This week
HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2002-0678 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting unixware, dextop, irix. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

CDE ToolTalk database server (ttdbserver) allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the transaction log file used by the _TT_TRANSACTION RPC procedure.

Why this priority

  • High severity
  • EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited

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

Risk facts

CVSS score7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance9.4% (top 5%)
CISA exploited listNo
Published2002-07-23
Last modified2026-06-16
Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: caldera · compaq · hp · sgi · xi graphics

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

caldera unixware DOWNGRADE
Affected: 7.0 · 7.1.0 · 7.1.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy unixware || rpm -q unixware || unixware --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison unixware sudo apt install unixware=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo apt-mark hold unixware
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list unixware sudo dnf downgrade unixware-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add unixware
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.
xi graphics dextop DOWNGRADE
Affected: 2.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy dextop || rpm -q dextop || dextop --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison dextop sudo apt install dextop=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1> sudo apt-mark hold dextop
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list dextop sudo dnf downgrade dextop-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add dextop
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.
sgi irix MITIGATE
Affected: 5.2 · 5.3 · 6.0 · 6.0.1 · 6.1 · 6.2 · 6.3 · 6.4
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.2
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.
caldera openunix MITIGATE
Affected: 8.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0
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.
compaq tru64 MITIGATE
Affected: 4.0f · 4.0g · 5.0a · 5.1 · 5.1a
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0f
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.
hp hp-ux MITIGATE
Affected: 10.10 · 10.20 · 10.24 · 11.00 · 11.11
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.10
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.
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-2002-0678?

unixware: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; dextop: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; irix: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-0678 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0678 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-2002-0678 affect?

CVE-2002-0678 affects unixware, dextop, irix. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). CDE ToolTalk database server (ttdbserver) allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the transaction log file used by the _TT_TRANSACTION RPC procedure.

How urgent is CVE-2002-0678?

Priority 49/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited

Related CVEs

References

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