CVE-2003-0655: rscsi in cdrtools 2.01 and earlier allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files and gain root privileges by

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0655 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting cdrtools. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

rscsi in cdrtools 2.01 and earlier allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files and gain root privileges by specifying the target file as a command line argument, which is modified while rscsi is running with privileges.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 46%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-08-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cdrtools

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

cdrtools cdrtools DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0 · 2.0.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cdrtools sudo apt install cdrtools=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold cdrtools

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

dnf --showduplicates list cdrtools sudo dnf downgrade cdrtools-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cdrtools

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.

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: CDRTools 2.0 - RSCSI Debug File Arbitrary Local File Manipulation

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-2003-0655?

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

Is CVE-2003-0655 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0655 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-2003-0655 affect?

CVE-2003-0655 affects cdrtools. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). rscsi in cdrtools 2.01 and earlier allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files and gain root privileges by specifying the target file as a command line argument, which is modified while rscsi is running with privileges.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0655?

Priority 44/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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