CVE-2003-0490: The installation of Dantz Retrospect Client 5.0.540 on MacOS X 10.2.6, and possibly other versions, creates cr

Routine

HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0490 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting retrospect client. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The installation of Dantz Retrospect Client 5.0.540 on MacOS X 10.2.6, and possibly other versions, creates critical directories and files with world-writable permissions, which allows local users to gain privileges as other users by replacing programs with malicious code.

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	0.3% (top 72%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-08-07
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: dantz

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

dantz retrospect client DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.0.540

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0.540

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy retrospect-client || rpm -q retrospect-client || retrospect-client --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0.540 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison retrospect-client sudo apt install retrospect-client=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.540> sudo apt-mark hold retrospect-client

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

dnf --showduplicates list retrospect-client sudo dnf downgrade retrospect-client-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.540> sudo dnf versionlock add retrospect-client

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-2003-0490?

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

Is CVE-2003-0490 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0490 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-2003-0490 affect?

CVE-2003-0490 affects retrospect client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). The installation of Dantz Retrospect Client 5.0.540 on MacOS X 10.2.6, and possibly other versions, creates critical directories and files with world-writable permissions, which allows local users to gain privileges as other users by replac

How urgent is CVE-2003-0490?

Priority 32/100. High severity

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2015-2864 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Retrospect and Retrospect Client before 10.0.2.119 on Windows, before 12.0.2.116 on OS X, and before 10.0.2.10
CVE-2006-2391 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in EMC Retrospect Client 5.1 through 7.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service

References

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