CVE-2003-0615: Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in start_form() of CGI.pm allows remote attackers to insert web scrip

This month

MEDIUM 4.3WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2003-0615 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting cgi.pm, openpkg, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in start_form() of CGI.pm allows remote attackers to insert web script via a URL that is fed into the form's action parameter.

Why this priority

EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	4.4% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-08-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cgi.pm · debian · openpkg

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

cgi.pm cgi.pm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.73 · 2.74 · 2.75 · 2.76 · 2.78 · 2.79 · 2.93 · 2.751

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.73

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cgi.pm || rpm -q cgi.pm || cgi.pm --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.73 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cgi.pm sudo apt install cgi.pm=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.73> sudo apt-mark hold cgi.pm

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

dnf --showduplicates list cgi.pm sudo dnf downgrade cgi.pm-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.73> sudo dnf versionlock add cgi.pm

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.

openpkg openpkg DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2 · 1.3 · current

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openpkg sudo apt install openpkg=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2> sudo apt-mark hold openpkg

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

dnf --showduplicates list openpkg sudo dnf downgrade openpkg-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2> sudo dnf versionlock add openpkg

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

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.

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-2003-0615?

cgi.pm: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; openpkg: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0615 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0615 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-2003-0615 affect?

CVE-2003-0615 affects cgi.pm, openpkg, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in start_form() of CGI.pm allows remote attackers to insert web script via a URL that is fed into the form's action parameter.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0615?

Priority 43/100. EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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CVE-2010-4411 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE Unspecified vulnerability in CGI.pm 3.50 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTTP headers
CVE-2010-4410 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE UPGRADE CRLF injection vulnerability in the header function in (1) CGI.pm before 3.50 and (2) Simple.pm in CGI::Simple
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References

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