CVE-2003-0289: Format string vulnerability in scsiopen.c of the cdrecord program in cdrtools 2.0 allows local users to gain p

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0289 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting cdrecord. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Format string vulnerability in scsiopen.c of the cdrecord program in cdrtools 2.0 allows local users to gain privileges via format string specifiers in the dev parameter.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 35%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-06-16
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cdrtools

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

cdrtools cdrecord DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.11 · 2.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.11

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.11 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cdrecord sudo apt install cdrecord=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.11> sudo apt-mark hold cdrecord

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

dnf --showduplicates list cdrecord sudo dnf downgrade cdrecord-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.11> sudo dnf versionlock add cdrecord

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: CDRTools CDRecord 1.11/2.0 - Devname Format String
Exploit-DB: CDRTools CDRecord 2.0 (Mandrake / Slackware) - Local Privilege Escalation

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-2003-0289?

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

Is CVE-2003-0289 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0289 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-2003-0289 affect?

CVE-2003-0289 affects cdrecord. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Format string vulnerability in scsiopen.c of the cdrecord program in cdrtools 2.0 allows local users to gain privileges via format string specifiers in the dev parameter.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0289?

Priority 46/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-0866 LOW 2.1 UPGRADE cdrecord before 4:2.0, when DEBUG is enabled, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink at
CVE-2004-0806 HIGH 7.2 DOWNGRADE cdrecord in the cdrtools package before 2.01, when installed setuid root, does not properly drop privileges be

References

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