CVE-2003-0462: A race condition in the way env_start and env_end pointers are initialized in the execve system call and used

Routine

LOW 1.2WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2003-0462 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 1.2) affecting mandrake multi network firewall, linux kernel, mandrake linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A race condition in the way env_start and env_end pointers are initialized in the execve system call and used in fs/proc/base.c on Linux 2.4 allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash).

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	1.2 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 49%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-08-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: linux · mandrakesoft

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-08-27 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mandrakesoft mandrake multi network firewall DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mandrake-multi-network-firewall || rpm -q mandrake-multi-network-firewall || mandrake-multi-network-firewall --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mandrake-multi-network-firewall sudo apt install mandrake-multi-network-firewall=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2> sudo apt-mark hold mandrake-multi-network-firewall

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

dnf --showduplicates list mandrake-multi-network-firewall sudo dnf downgrade mandrake-multi-network-firewall-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2> sudo dnf versionlock add mandrake-multi-network-firewall

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.

linux linux kernel MITIGATE

Affected: 2.4.0 · 2.4.1 · 2.4.2 · 2.4.3 · 2.4.4 · 2.4.5 · 2.4.6 · 2.4.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

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.

Downgrade not recommended

This is a core system component: downgrading can break the OS. Apply the distro update or the vendor mitigation.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.2 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.2

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.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux corporate server MITIGATE

Affected: 2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1

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: Linux Kernel 2.4 - SUID 'execve()' System Call Race Condition Executable File Read

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-2003-0462?

mandrake multi network firewall: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; linux kernel: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mandrake linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0462 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0462 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-2003-0462 affect?

CVE-2003-0462 affects mandrake multi network firewall, linux kernel, mandrake linux. Severity is low (CVSS 1.2). A race condition in the way env_start and env_end pointers are initialized in the execve system call and used in fs/proc/base.c on Linux 2.4 allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash).

How urgent is CVE-2003-0462?

Priority 27/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities

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References

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