CVE-2003-0147: OpenSSL does not use RSA blinding by default, which allows local and remote attackers to obtain the server's p

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0147 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting openpkg, openssl, stunnel. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

OpenSSL does not use RSA blinding by default, which allows local and remote attackers to obtain the server's private key by determining factors using timing differences on (1) the number of extra reductions during Montgomery reduction, and (2) the use of different integer multiplication algorithms ("Karatsuba" and normal).

Why this priority

EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	7.1% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-03-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: openpkg · openssl · stunnel

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

openpkg openpkg DOWNGRADE

Affected: all versions · 1.1 · 1.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openpkg sudo apt install openpkg=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1> sudo apt-mark hold openpkg

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

dnf --showduplicates list openpkg sudo dnf downgrade openpkg-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1> sudo dnf versionlock add openpkg

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.

openssl openssl MITIGATE

Affected: 0.9.6 · 0.9.6a · 0.9.6b · 0.9.6c · 0.9.6d · 0.9.6e · 0.9.6g · 0.9.6h

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

Downgrade not recommended

This is a core system component: downgrading can break the OS. Apply the distro update or the vendor mitigation.

stunnel stunnel DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.7 · 3.8 · 3.9 · 3.10 · 3.11 · 3.12 · 3.13 · 3.14

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.7

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison stunnel sudo apt install stunnel=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7> sudo apt-mark hold stunnel

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

dnf --showduplicates list stunnel sudo dnf downgrade stunnel-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7> sudo dnf versionlock add stunnel

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-2003-0147?

openpkg: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; openssl: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; stunnel: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0147 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0147 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-2003-0147 affect?

CVE-2003-0147 affects openpkg, openssl, stunnel. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). OpenSSL does not use RSA blinding by default, which allows local and remote attackers to obtain the server's private key by determining factors using timing differences on (1) the number of extra reductions during Montgomery reduction, and

How urgent is CVE-2003-0147?

Priority 46/100. EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

OpenSSL vulnerabilities

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References

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