CVE-2003-0382: Buffer overflow in Eterm 0.9.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a long ETERMPATH environment variable

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2003-0382 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting eterm, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in Eterm 0.9.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a long ETERMPATH environment variable.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 68%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-07-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · michael jennings

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-07-02 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

michael jennings eterm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.9.1 · 0.9.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison eterm sudo apt install eterm=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.1> sudo apt-mark hold eterm

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

dnf --showduplicates list eterm sudo dnf downgrade eterm-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.1> sudo dnf versionlock add eterm

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 2.3 · 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3

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.

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-2003-0382?

eterm: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0382 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0382 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-2003-0382 affect?

CVE-2003-0382 affects eterm, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Buffer overflow in Eterm 0.9.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a long ETERMPATH environment variable.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0382?

Priority 29/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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