CVE-2002-1653: Farm9 Cryptcat, when started in server mode with the -e option, does not enable encryption, which allows clien

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1653 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting cryptcat. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Farm9 Cryptcat, when started in server mode with the -e option, does not enable encryption, which allows clients to communicate without encryption despite intended configuration, and may allow remote attackers to sniff sensitive information.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 35%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: farm9

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

farm9 cryptcat DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.10

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.10 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cryptcat sudo apt install cryptcat=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10> sudo apt-mark hold cryptcat

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

dnf --showduplicates list cryptcat sudo dnf downgrade cryptcat-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10> sudo dnf versionlock add cryptcat

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-2002-1653?

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

Is CVE-2002-1653 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1653 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-2002-1653 affect?

CVE-2002-1653 affects cryptcat. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Farm9 Cryptcat, when started in server mode with the -e option, does not enable encryption, which allows clients to communicate without encryption despite intended configuration, and may allow remote attackers to sniff sensitive information

How urgent is CVE-2002-1653?

Priority 34/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

References

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