CVE-2003-0067: The aterm terminal emulator 0.42 allows attackers to modify the window title via a certain character escape se

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0067 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting aterm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The aterm terminal emulator 0.42 allows attackers to modify the window title via a certain character escape sequence and then insert it back to the command line in the user's terminal, e.g. when the user views a file containing the malicious sequence, which could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands.

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	1.8% (top 22%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-03-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: aterm

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-03-18 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

aterm aterm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.42

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.42

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.42 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison aterm sudo apt install aterm=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.42> sudo apt-mark hold aterm

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

dnf --showduplicates list aterm sudo dnf downgrade aterm-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.42> sudo dnf versionlock add aterm

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-2003-0067?

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

Is CVE-2003-0067 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0067 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-2003-0067 affect?

CVE-2003-0067 affects aterm. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The aterm terminal emulator 0.42 allows attackers to modify the window title via a certain character escape sequence and then insert it back to the command line in the user's terminal, e.g. when the user views a file containing the maliciou

How urgent is CVE-2003-0067?

Priority 46/100. High severity

Related CVEs

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-2003-0024 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE The menuBar feature in aterm 0.42 allows attackers to modify menu options and execute arbitrary commands via a

References

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