CVE-2002-1656: X-News (x_news) 1.1 and earlier allows attackers to authenticate as other users by obtaining the MD5 checksum

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1656 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting x-news. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

X-News (x_news) 1.1 and earlier allows attackers to authenticate as other users by obtaining the MD5 checksum of the password, e.g. via sniffing or the users.txt data file, and providing it in a cookie.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 5%: 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	8.1% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: xqus

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

xqus x-news DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0 · 1.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy x-news || rpm -q x-news || x-news --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison x-news sudo apt install x-news=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold x-news

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

dnf --showduplicates list x-news sudo dnf downgrade x-news-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add x-news

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: x-news 1.1 - 'users.txt' Remote Password Disclosure

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-2002-1656?

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

Is CVE-2002-1656 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1656 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-2002-1656 affect?

CVE-2002-1656 affects x-news. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). X-News (x_news) 1.1 and earlier allows attackers to authenticate as other users by obtaining the MD5 checksum of the password, e.g. via sniffing or the users.txt data file, and providing it in a cookie.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1656?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2002-2046 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE x_news.php in X-News (x_news) 1.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to gain administrative privileges by ste

References

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