CVE-2002-0904: SayText function in Kismet 2.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell m

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0904 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting kismet. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SayText function in Kismet 2.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters (backtick or pipe) in the essid argument.

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.2% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-10-04
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: kismet

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-10-04 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kismet kismet DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.2 · 2.2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kismet sudo apt install kismet=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2> sudo apt-mark hold kismet

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

dnf --showduplicates list kismet sudo dnf downgrade kismet-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2> sudo dnf versionlock add kismet

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-2002-0904?

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

Is CVE-2002-0904 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0904 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-2002-0904 affect?

CVE-2002-0904 affects kismet. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). SayText function in Kismet 2.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters (backtick or pipe) in the essid argument.

How urgent is CVE-2002-0904?

Priority 47/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-2627 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Multiple integer underflows in Kismet before 2005-08-R1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (
CVE-2005-2626 HIGH 10.0 DOWNGRADE Unspecified vulnerability in Kismet before 2005-08-R1 allows remote attackers to have an unknown impact via un

References

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