PatchTheCVECVE-2003-0213: ctrlpacket.c in PoPToP PPTP server before 1.1.4-b3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a
CVE-2003-0213 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting pptp server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
ctrlpacket.c in PoPToP PPTP server before 1.1.4-b3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a length field of 0 or 1, which causes a negative value to be fed into a read operation, leading to a buffer overflow.
Why this priority
- High 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 | 7.5 (High) |
| EPSS exploit chance | 70.9% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Published | 2003-05-12 |
| 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
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: PoPToP - Negative Read Overflow (Metasploit)
- Exploit-DB: PoPToP < 1.1.3-b3/1.1.3-20030409 - Negative Read Overflow (Metasploit)
- Exploit-DB: PoPToP PPTP 1.0/1.1.x - Negative 'read()' Argument Remote Buffer Overflow
- Exploit-DB: PoPToP PPTP 1.1.4-b3 - 'poptop-sane.c' Remote Command Execution
- Exploit-DB: PoPToP PPTP 1.1.4-b3 - Remote Command Execution
- Metasploit: Poptop Negative Read Overflow
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-2003-0213?
pptp server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2003-0213 being exploited?
CVE-2003-0213 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-2003-0213 affect?
CVE-2003-0213 affects pptp server. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). ctrlpacket.c in PoPToP PPTP server before 1.1.4-b3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a length field of 0 or 1, which causes a negative value to be fed into a read operation, leading to a buffer overflow.
How urgent is CVE-2003-0213?
Priority 56/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference
Related CVEs
- CVE-2007-0244 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE pptpgre.c in PoPToP Point to Point Tunneling Server (pptpd) before 1.3.4 allows remote attackers to cause a de
- CVE-2003-1455 HIGH 7.2 DOWNGRADE Multiple buffer overflows in the launch_bcrelay function in pptpctrl.c in PoPToP 1.1.4-b1 through PoPToP 1.1.4