CVE-2002-1843: Perlbot 1.9.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in (1) the $text

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1843 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting perlbot. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Perlbot 1.9.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in (1) the $text variable in SpelCheck.pm or (2) the $filename variable in HTMLPlog.pm.

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	2.1% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: perlbot

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 22:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

perlbot perlbot DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.9.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.9.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.9.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison perlbot sudo apt install perlbot=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.2> sudo apt-mark hold perlbot

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

dnf --showduplicates list perlbot sudo dnf downgrade perlbot-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.2> sudo dnf versionlock add perlbot

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-2002-1843?

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

Is CVE-2002-1843 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1843 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-2002-1843 affect?

CVE-2002-1843 affects perlbot. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Perlbot 1.9.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in (1) the $text variable in SpelCheck.pm or (2) the $filename variable in HTMLPlog.pm.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1843?

Priority 47/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2002-1842 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Perlbot 1.0 beta allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in (1) a word

References

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