CVE-2003-0282: Directory traversal vulnerability in UnZip 5.50 allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via invalid char

This week

LOW 2.6WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2003-0282 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.6) affecting unzip, openlinux server, openlinux workstation. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in UnZip 5.50 allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via invalid characters between two . (dot) characters, which are filtered and result in a ".." sequence.

Why this priority

EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.6 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	22.0% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-06-16
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: info-zip · sco

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

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

info-zip unzip DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.50

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.50

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.50 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison unzip sudo apt install unzip=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.50> sudo apt-mark hold unzip

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

dnf --showduplicates list unzip sudo dnf downgrade unzip-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.50> sudo dnf versionlock add unzip

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.

sco openlinux server MITIGATE

Affected: 3.1.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1.1

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.

sco openlinux workstation MITIGATE

Affected: 3.1.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1.1

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: Info-ZIP UnZip 5.50 - Encoded Character Hostile Destination Path

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-2003-0282?

unzip: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; openlinux server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; openlinux workstation: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0282 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0282 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-2003-0282 affect?

CVE-2003-0282 affects unzip, openlinux server, openlinux workstation. Severity is low (CVSS 2.6). Directory traversal vulnerability in UnZip 5.50 allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via invalid characters between two . (dot) characters, which are filtered and result in a ".." sequence.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0282?

Priority 44/100. EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

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References

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