CVE-2003-0489: tcptraceroute 1.4 and earlier does not fully drop privileges after obtaining a file descriptor for capturing p

Q: How do I fix CVE-2003-0489?

tcptraceroute: upgrade to newer than 1.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2003-0489 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0489 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-2003-0489 affect?

CVE-2003-0489 affects tcptraceroute. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). tcptraceroute 1.4 and earlier does not fully drop privileges after obtaining a file descriptor for capturing packets, which may allow local users to gain access to the descriptor via a separate vulnerability in tcptraceroute.

Routine

HIGH 7.2UPGRADE

CVE-2003-0489 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting tcptraceroute. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

tcptraceroute 1.4 and earlier does not fully drop privileges after obtaining a file descriptor for capturing packets, which may allow local users to gain access to the descriptor via a separate vulnerability in tcptraceroute.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-08-07
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: michael c. toren

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-08-07 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

michael c. toren tcptraceroute UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.4

Fixed in: newer than 1.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade tcptraceroute

Note

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

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-2003-0489?

tcptraceroute: upgrade to newer than 1.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0489 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0489 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-2003-0489 affect?

CVE-2003-0489 affects tcptraceroute. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). tcptraceroute 1.4 and earlier does not fully drop privileges after obtaining a file descriptor for capturing packets, which may allow local users to gain access to the descriptor via a separate vulnerability in tcptraceroute.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0489?

Priority 34/100. High severity

References

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