PatchTheCVECVE-2003-0201: Buffer overflow in the call_trans2open function in trans2.c for Samba 2.2.x before 2.2.8a, 2.0.10 and earlier
65
This week
HIGH 10.0DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE
CVE-2003-0201 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting samba, samba-tng, mac os x. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Buffer overflow in the call_trans2open function in trans2.c for Samba 2.2.x before 2.2.8a, 2.0.10 and earlier 2.0.x versions, and Samba-TNG before 0.3.2, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Public exploit reference
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 10.0 (High) |
| EPSS exploit chance | 84.6% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Published | 2003-05-05 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-16 |
Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated 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.
apple mac os x MITIGATE
Affected: 10.2 · 10.2.1 · 10.2.2 · 10.2.3 · 10.2.4
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.2
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.
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 · 9.0 x86_update_2
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.
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: Samba 2.2.8 (BSD x86) - 'trans2open' Remote Overflow (Metasploit)
- Exploit-DB: Samba 2.2.8 - Brute Force Method Remote Command Execution
- Exploit-DB: Samba 2.2.x - Remote Buffer Overflow
- Exploit-DB: Samba 2.2.8 (Linux x86) - 'trans2open' Remote Overflow (Metasploit)
- Exploit-DB: Samba < 2.2.8 (Linux/BSD) - Remote Code Execution
- Exploit-DB: Samba 2.2.0 < 2.2.8 (OSX) - trans2open Overflow (Metasploit)
- Exploit-DB: Samba 2.2.8 (OSX/PPC) - 'trans2open' Remote Overflow (Metasploit)
- Exploit-DB: Samba 2.2.8 (Solaris SPARC) - 'trans2open' Remote Overflow (Metasploit)
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.
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-2003-0201?
samba: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; samba-tng: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; mac os x: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2003-0201 being exploited?
CVE-2003-0201 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-2003-0201 affect?
CVE-2003-0201 affects samba, samba-tng, mac os x. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Buffer overflow in the call_trans2open function in trans2.c for Samba 2.2.x before 2.2.8a, 2.0.10 and earlier 2.0.x versions, and Samba-TNG before 0.3.2, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
How urgent is CVE-2003-0201?
Priority 65/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference
Software pages
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