CVE-2003-0358: Buffer overflow in (1) nethack 3.4.0 and earlier, and (2) falconseye 1.9.3 and earlier, which is based on neth

Q: How do I fix CVE-2003-0358?

falconseye: upgrade to newer than 1.9.3; nethack: upgrade to newer than 3.4.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2003-0358 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0358 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2003-0358 affect?

CVE-2003-0358 affects falconseye, nethack, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Buffer overflow in (1) nethack 3.4.0 and earlier, and (2) falconseye 1.9.3 and earlier, which is based on nethack, allows local users to gain privileges via a long -s command line option.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2003-0358?

Priority 43/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

MEDIUM 4.6WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2003-0358 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting falconseye, nethack, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in (1) nethack 3.4.0 and earlier, and (2) falconseye 1.9.3 and earlier, which is based on nethack, allows local users to gain privileges via a long -s command line option.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 31%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2003-06-09
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · falconseye project · nethack

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-06-09 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

falconseye project falconseye UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.9.3

Fixed in: newer than 1.9.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.9.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade falconseye

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade falconseye

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

nethack nethack UPGRADE

Affected: <= 3.4.0

Fixed in: newer than 3.4.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade nethack

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade nethack

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 2.2 · 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2

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.

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: Nethack 3 - Local Buffer Overflow (1)
Exploit-DB: Nethack 3 - Local Buffer Overflow (2)
Exploit-DB: Nethack 3 - Local Buffer Overflow (3)

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-2003-0358?

falconseye: upgrade to newer than 1.9.3; nethack: upgrade to newer than 3.4.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0358 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0358 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-2003-0358 affect?

CVE-2003-0358 affects falconseye, nethack, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Buffer overflow in (1) nethack 3.4.0 and earlier, and (2) falconseye 1.9.3 and earlier, which is based on nethack, allows local users to gain privileges via a long -s command line option.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0358?

Priority 43/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

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