CVE-2003-0144: Buffer overflow in the lprm command in the lprold lpr package on SuSE 7.1 through 7.3, OpenBSD 3.2 and earlier

This month

HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2003-0144 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting lprold, lpr, freebsd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in the lprm command in the lprold lpr package on SuSE 7.1 through 7.3, OpenBSD 3.2 and earlier, and possibly other operating systems, allows local users to gain root privileges via long command line arguments such as (1) request ID or (2) user name.

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	1.9% (top 20%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-03-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: bsd · freebsd · lprold · openbsd

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-03-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

lprold lprold DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0.48

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0.48

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0.48 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison lprold sudo apt install lprold=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.48> sudo apt-mark hold lprold

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

dnf --showduplicates list lprold sudo dnf downgrade lprold-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.48> sudo dnf versionlock add lprold

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.

bsd lpr MITIGATE

Affected: 0.48 · 2000-05-07

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.48

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

freebsd freebsd MITIGATE

Affected: 2.2 · 2.2.2 · 2.2.3 · 2.2.4 · 2.2.5 · 2.2.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

openbsd openbsd MITIGATE

Affected: 2.0 · 2.1 · 2.2 · 2.3 · 2.4 · 2.5 · 2.6 · 2.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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: BSD 'lpr' 2000.05.07/0.48/0.72 / lpr-ppd 0.72 - Local Buffer Overflow (1)
Exploit-DB: BSD 'lpr' 2000.05.07/0.48/0.72 / lpr-ppd 0.72 - Local Buffer Overflow (2)

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-2003-0144?

lprold: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; lpr: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; freebsd: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0144 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0144 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-2003-0144 affect?

CVE-2003-0144 affects lprold, lpr, freebsd. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Buffer overflow in the lprm command in the lprold lpr package on SuSE 7.1 through 7.3, OpenBSD 3.2 and earlier, and possibly other operating systems, allows local users to gain root privileges via long command line arguments such as (1) req

How urgent is CVE-2003-0144?

Priority 50/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

← Back to latest CVEs