CVE-2002-1536: Molly IRC bot 0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in (1) the $h

This month

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1536 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting molly. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Molly IRC bot 0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in (1) the $host variable for nslookup.pl, (2) the $to, $from, or $message variables in pop.pl, (3) the $words or $text variables in sms.pl, or (4) the $server or $printer variables in hpled.pl.

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	3.3% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-03-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: hans persson

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-03-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hans persson molly DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.5

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison molly sudo apt install molly=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.5> sudo apt-mark hold molly

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

dnf --showduplicates list molly sudo dnf downgrade molly-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.5> sudo dnf versionlock add molly

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-2002-1536?

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

Is CVE-2002-1536 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1536 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-2002-1536 affect?

CVE-2002-1536 affects molly. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Molly IRC bot 0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in (1) the $host variable for nslookup.pl, (2) the $to, $from, or $message variables in pop.pl, (3) the $words or $text variables in sms.pl, or

How urgent is CVE-2002-1536?

Priority 48/100. High severity

References

← Back to latest CVEs