CVE-2003-0406: PalmVNC 1.40 and earlier stores passwords in plaintext in the PalmVNCDB, which is backed up to PCs that the Pa

Routine

HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0406 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting palmvnc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

PalmVNC 1.40 and earlier stores passwords in plaintext in the PalmVNCDB, which is backed up to PCs that the Palm is synchronized with, which could allow attackers to gain privileges.

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 69%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-06-30
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: palmvnc

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-06-30 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

palmvnc palmvnc DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.40

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.40

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.40 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison palmvnc sudo apt install palmvnc=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.40> sudo apt-mark hold palmvnc

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

dnf --showduplicates list palmvnc sudo dnf downgrade palmvnc-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.40> sudo dnf versionlock add palmvnc

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.

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-2003-0406?

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

Is CVE-2003-0406 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0406 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-2003-0406 affect?

CVE-2003-0406 affects palmvnc. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). PalmVNC 1.40 and earlier stores passwords in plaintext in the PalmVNCDB, which is backed up to PCs that the Palm is synchronized with, which could allow attackers to gain privileges.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0406?

Priority 33/100. High severity

References

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