CVE-2002-1605: Buffer overflow in HP Tru64 UNIX 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f allows attackers to execute arbitrary code vi

This week

HIGH 7.5MITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2002-1605 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting hp-ux, tru64. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in HP Tru64 UNIX 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long _XKB_CHARSET environment variable to (1) dxpause, (2) dxconsole, or (3) dtsession.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 4%: 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	13.3% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-09-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: hp

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-09-02 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hp hp-ux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.20 · 11.00 · 11.04 · 11.11 · 11.22

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.20

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 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.

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: HP Tru64 4.0/5.0/5.1 - _XKB_CHARSET Local Buffer Overflow

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-2002-1605?

hp-ux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; tru64: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-1605 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1605 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-2002-1605 affect?

CVE-2002-1605 affects hp-ux, tru64. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Buffer overflow in HP Tru64 UNIX 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long _XKB_CHARSET environment variable to (1) dxpause, (2) dxconsole, or (3) dtsession.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1605?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2000-0515 HIGH 10.0 MITIGATE The snmpd.conf configuration file for the SNMP daemon (snmpd) in HP-UX 11.0 is world writable, which allows lo
CVE-2000-1028 HIGH 7.2 MITIGATE Buffer overflow in cu program in HP-UX 11.0 may allow local users to gain privileges via a long -l command lin
CVE-2000-0966 MEDIUM 4.6 MITIGATE Buffer overflows in lpspooler in the fileset PrinterMgmt.LP-SPOOL of HP-UX 11.0 and earlier allows local users
CVE-2000-0972 MEDIUM 5.5 MITIGATE HP-UX 11.00 crontab allows local users to read arbitrary files via the -e option by creating a symlink to the
CVE-1999-0307 HIGH 7.2 MITIGATE Buffer overflow in HP-UX cstm program allows local users to gain root privileges.

References

← Back to latest CVEs