CVE-2003-0068: The Eterm terminal emulator 0.9.1 and earlier allows attackers to modify the window title via a certain charac

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0068 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting eterm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Eterm terminal emulator 0.9.1 and earlier 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	1.9% (top 20%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-03-03
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: michael jennings

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

michael jennings eterm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.8.10 · 0.9.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.8.10

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.8.10 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison eterm sudo apt install eterm=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.8.10> sudo apt-mark hold eterm

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

dnf --showduplicates list eterm sudo dnf downgrade eterm-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.8.10> sudo dnf versionlock add eterm

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-2003-0068?

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

Is CVE-2003-0068 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0068 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-2003-0068 affect?

CVE-2003-0068 affects eterm. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The Eterm terminal emulator 0.9.1 and earlier 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

How urgent is CVE-2003-0068?

Priority 46/100. High severity

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References

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