CVE-2003-0156: Directory traversal vulnerability in Cross-Referencing Linux (LXR) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary f

This month

MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0156 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting lxr. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in Cross-Referencing Linux (LXR) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via .. (dot dot) sequences in the v parameter.

Why this priority

EPSS top 9%: 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	4.3% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-03-24
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cross referencer

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-03-24 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cross referencer lxr DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.3 · 0.8 · 0.9 · 0.9.1 · 0.9.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison lxr sudo apt install lxr=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.3> sudo apt-mark hold lxr

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

dnf --showduplicates list lxr sudo dnf downgrade lxr-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.3> sudo dnf versionlock add lxr

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-2003-0156?

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

Is CVE-2003-0156 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0156 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-2003-0156 affect?

CVE-2003-0156 affects lxr. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Directory traversal vulnerability in Cross-Referencing Linux (LXR) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via .. (dot dot) sequences in the v parameter.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0156?

Priority 45/100. EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-0545 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE LXR version 1.0.0 to 2.3.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via unspecified vectors.

References

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