CVE-2003-0023: The menuBar feature in rxvt 2.7.8 allows attackers to modify menu options and execute arbitrary commands via a

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0023 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting rxvt. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The menuBar feature in rxvt 2.7.8 allows attackers to modify menu options and execute arbitrary commands via a certain character escape sequence that inserts the commands into the menu.

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	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-03-03
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: rxvt

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-03-03 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rxvt rxvt DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.6.1 · 2.6.2 · 2.6.3 · 2.6.4 · 2.7.5 · 2.7.6 · 2.7.7 · 2.7.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.6.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.6.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rxvt sudo apt install rxvt=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.1> sudo apt-mark hold rxvt

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

dnf --showduplicates list rxvt sudo dnf downgrade rxvt-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.1> sudo dnf versionlock add rxvt

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-2003-0023?

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

Is CVE-2003-0023 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0023 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-2003-0023 affect?

CVE-2003-0023 affects rxvt. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The menuBar feature in rxvt 2.7.8 allows attackers to modify menu options and execute arbitrary commands via a certain character escape sequence that inserts the commands into the menu.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0023?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

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CVE-2017-7483 HIGH 7.5 MITIGATE MITIGATE Rxvt 2.7.10 is vulnerable to a denial of service attack by passing the value -2^31 inside a terminal escape co
CVE-2008-1142 LOW 3.7 UPGRADE UPGRADE rxvt 2.6.4 opens a terminal window on :0 if the DISPLAY environment variable is not set, which might allow loc
CVE-2003-0066 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE The rxvt terminal emulator 2.7.8 and earlier allows attackers to modify the window title via a certain charact
CVE-2003-0022 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The "screen dump" feature in rxvt 2.7.8 allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a certain character

References

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