CVE-2002-0928: Buffer overflow in the Pirch 98 IRC client allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly e

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0928 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting pirch irc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in the Pirch 98 IRC client allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long hyperlink in a channel or private message.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.7% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-10-04
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: pirch

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

pirch pirch irc DOWNGRADE

Affected: 98

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 98

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pirch-irc || rpm -q pirch-irc || pirch-irc --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 98 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pirch-irc sudo apt install pirch-irc=<VERSION_BEFORE_98> sudo apt-mark hold pirch-irc

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

dnf --showduplicates list pirch-irc sudo dnf downgrade pirch-irc-<VERSION_BEFORE_98> sudo dnf versionlock add pirch-irc

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Pirch IRC 98 Client - Malformed Link Buffer Overrun

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-2002-0928?

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

Is CVE-2002-0928 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0928 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-2002-0928 affect?

CVE-2002-0928 affects pirch irc. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Buffer overflow in the Pirch 98 IRC client allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long hyperlink in a channel or private message.

How urgent is CVE-2002-0928?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2002-1916 MEDIUM 5.0 MITIGATE MITIGATE Pirch and RusPirch, when auto-log is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via

References

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