CVE-2002-1896: Buffer overflow in Alsaplayer 0.99.71, when installed setuid root, allows local users to execute arbitrary cod

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1896 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting alsaplayer. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in Alsaplayer 0.99.71, when installed setuid root, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) -f or (2) -o command line argument.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	1.6% (top 24%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: alsaplayer

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

alsaplayer alsaplayer DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.99.71

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.99.71

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.99.71 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison alsaplayer sudo apt install alsaplayer=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.99.71> sudo apt-mark hold alsaplayer

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

dnf --showduplicates list alsaplayer sudo dnf downgrade alsaplayer-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.99.71> sudo dnf versionlock add alsaplayer

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: AlsaPlayer 0.99.71 - 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-2002-1896?

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

Is CVE-2002-1896 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1896 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-2002-1896 affect?

CVE-2002-1896 affects alsaplayer. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Buffer overflow in Alsaplayer 0.99.71, when installed setuid root, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) -f or (2) -o command line argument.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1896?

Priority 49/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

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References

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