CVE-2003-0163: decrypt_msg for the Gaim-Encryption GAIM plugin 1.15 and earlier does not properly validate a message length p

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0163 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting gaim-encryption. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

decrypt_msg for the Gaim-Encryption GAIM plugin 1.15 and earlier does not properly validate a message length parameter, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a negative length, which overwrites arbitrary heap memory with a zero byte.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 36%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-05-05
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gaim-encryption

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-05-05 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gaim-encryption gaim-encryption DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.13 · 1.14 · 1.15

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.13

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy gaim-encryption || rpm -q gaim-encryption || gaim-encryption --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.13 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gaim-encryption sudo apt install gaim-encryption=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.13> sudo apt-mark hold gaim-encryption

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

dnf --showduplicates list gaim-encryption sudo dnf downgrade gaim-encryption-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.13> sudo dnf versionlock add gaim-encryption

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-2003-0163?

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

Is CVE-2003-0163 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0163 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-2003-0163 affect?

CVE-2003-0163 affects gaim-encryption. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). decrypt_msg for the Gaim-Encryption GAIM plugin 1.15 and earlier does not properly validate a message length parameter, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a negative length, which overwrites arbitrary hea

How urgent is CVE-2003-0163?

Priority 33/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-4693 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Gaim-Encryption 2.38-1 on Debian Linux allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a craf

References

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