CVE-2003-0243: Happycgi.com Happymall 4.3 and 4.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharact

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0243 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting happymall. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Happycgi.com Happymall 4.3 and 4.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the file parameter for the (1) normal_html.cgi or (2) member_html.cgi scripts.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	3.5% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-05-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: happycgi

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-05-27 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

happycgi happymall DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.3 · 4.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison happymall sudo apt install happymall=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.3> sudo apt-mark hold happymall

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

dnf --showduplicates list happymall sudo dnf downgrade happymall-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.3> sudo dnf versionlock add happymall

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.

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: HappyMall E-Commerce Software 4.3/4.4 - 'Member_HTML.cgi' Command Execution
Exploit-DB: HappyMall E-Commerce Software 4.3/4.4 - 'Normal_HTML.cgi' Command Execution

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-2003-0243?

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

Is CVE-2003-0243 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0243 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-2003-0243 affect?

CVE-2003-0243 affects happymall. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Happycgi.com Happymall 4.3 and 4.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the file parameter for the (1) normal_html.cgi or (2) member_html.cgi scripts.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0243?

Priority 54/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2003-0278 MEDIUM 6.8 DOWNGRADE Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in normal_html.cgi in Happycgi.com Happymall 4.3 and 4.4 allows remot
CVE-2003-0277 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Directory traversal vulnerability in normal_html.cgi in Happycgi.com Happymall 4.3 and 4.4 allows remote attac

References

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