CVE-2003-0196: Multiple buffer overflows in Samba before 2.2.8a may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause

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HIGH 10.0DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2003-0196 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting samba, samba-tng, tru64. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple buffer overflows in Samba before 2.2.8a may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service, as discovered by the Samba team and a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0201.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	22.8% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-05-05
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: compaq · hp · samba · samba-tng · sun

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

samba samba DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0.0 · 2.0.1 · 2.0.2 · 2.0.3 · 2.0.4 · 2.0.5 · 2.0.6 · 2.0.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison samba sudo apt install samba=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold samba

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

dnf --showduplicates list samba sudo dnf downgrade samba-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add samba

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.

samba-tng samba-tng DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.3 · 0.3.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy samba-tng || rpm -q samba-tng || samba-tng --version

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

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

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

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

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.

compaq tru64 MITIGATE

Affected: 4.0b · 4.0d · 4.0d_pk9_bl17 · 4.0f · 4.0f_pk6_bl17 · 4.0f_pk7_bl18 · 4.0g · 4.0g_pk3_bl17

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0b

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.

hp hp-ux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.01 · 10.20 · 10.24 · 11.00 · 11.04 · 11.11 · 11.20 · 11.22

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.01

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.

sun solaris MITIGATE

Affected: 2.5.1 · 2.6 · 7.0 · 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.5.1

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.

sun sunos MITIGATE

Affected: all versions · 5.5.1 · 5.7 · 5.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.5.1

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.

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-2003-0196?

samba: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; samba-tng: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; tru64: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0196 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0196 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-2003-0196 affect?

CVE-2003-0196 affects samba, samba-tng, tru64. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Multiple buffer overflows in Samba before 2.2.8a may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service, as discovered by the Samba team and a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0201.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0196?

Priority 59/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited

Software pages

Samba vulnerabilities

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References

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