CVE-2003-0581: X Fontserver for Truetype fonts (xfstt) 1.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0581 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting xfstt. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

X Fontserver for Truetype fonts (xfstt) 1.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a (1) FS_QueryXExtents8 or (2) FS_QueryXBitmaps8 packet, and possibly other types of packets, with a large num_ranges value, which causes an out-of-bounds array access.

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.5% (top 15%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-08-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: xfstt

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-08-18 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

xfstt xfstt DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2.1 · 1.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison xfstt sudo apt install xfstt=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.1> sudo apt-mark hold xfstt

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

dnf --showduplicates list xfstt sudo dnf downgrade xfstt-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add xfstt

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-2003-0581?

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

Is CVE-2003-0581 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0581 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-2003-0581 affect?

CVE-2003-0581 affects xfstt. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). X Fontserver for Truetype fonts (xfstt) 1.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a (1) FS_QueryXExtents8 or (2) FS_QueryXBitmaps8 packet, and possibly other types of packets, with a la

How urgent is CVE-2003-0581?

Priority 47/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2003-0625 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Off-by-one error in certain versions of xfstt allows remote attackers to read potentially sensitive memory via

References

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