CVE-2003-0704: KisMAC before 0.05d trusts user-supplied variables when chown'ing files or directories, which allows local use

Routine

HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0704 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting kismac. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

KisMAC before 0.05d trusts user-supplied variables when chown'ing files or directories, which allows local users to gain privileges via the $DRIVER_KEXT environment variable in (1) viha_driver.sh, (2) macjack_load.sh, (3) airojack_load.sh, (4) setuid_enable.sh, (5) setuid_disable.sh, and using a "similar technique" for (6) viha_prep.sh and (7) viha_unprep.sh.

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 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-09-17
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: kismac

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-09-17 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kismac kismac DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.05d

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.05d

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.05d (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kismac sudo apt install kismac=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.05d> sudo apt-mark hold kismac

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

dnf --showduplicates list kismac sudo dnf downgrade kismac-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.05d> sudo dnf versionlock add kismac

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-2003-0704?

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

Is CVE-2003-0704 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0704 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-2003-0704 affect?

CVE-2003-0704 affects kismac. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). KisMAC before 0.05d trusts user-supplied variables when chown'ing files or directories, which allows local users to gain privileges via the $DRIVER_KEXT environment variable in (1) viha_driver.sh, (2) macjack_load.sh, (3) airojack_load.sh,

How urgent is CVE-2003-0704?

Priority 32/100. High severity

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References

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