CVE-2002-1661: The leafnode server in leafnode 1.9.20 to 1.9.29 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinit

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1661 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting leafnode. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The leafnode server in leafnode 1.9.20 to 1.9.29 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) when leafnode requests a cross-posted article to one group whose name is a prefix of another group.

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	2.3% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: leafnode

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

leafnode leafnode DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.9.19 · 1.9.20 · 1.9.21 · 1.9.22 · 1.9.23 · 1.9.24 · 1.9.25 · 1.9.26

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.9.19

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.9.19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison leafnode sudo apt install leafnode=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.19> sudo apt-mark hold leafnode

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

dnf --showduplicates list leafnode sudo dnf downgrade leafnode-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.19> sudo dnf versionlock add leafnode

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-2002-1661?

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

Is CVE-2002-1661 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1661 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-2002-1661 affect?

CVE-2002-1661 affects leafnode. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The leafnode server in leafnode 1.9.20 to 1.9.29 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) when leafnode requests a cross-posted article to one group whose name is a prefix of another group.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1661?

Priority 38/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

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CVE-2004-2068 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE fetchnews in leafnode 1.9.47 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process hang) v
CVE-2003-0744 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The fetchnews NNTP client in leafnode 1.9.3 to 1.9.41 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (pr

References

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