CVE-2003-0705: Buffer overflow in mah-jong 1.5.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

This month

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0705 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting mah-jong. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in mah-jong 1.5.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.1% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-09-17
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: nicolas boullis

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

nicolas boullis mah-jong DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mah-jong || rpm -q mah-jong || mah-jong --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mah-jong sudo apt install mah-jong=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4> sudo apt-mark hold mah-jong

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

dnf --showduplicates list mah-jong sudo dnf downgrade mah-jong-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4> sudo dnf versionlock add mah-jong

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: Mah-Jong 1.4 - Client/Server Remote sscanf() Buffer Overflow

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-2003-0705?

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

Is CVE-2003-0705 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0705 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-2003-0705 affect?

CVE-2003-0705 affects mah-jong. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Buffer overflow in mah-jong 1.5.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0705?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2004-0458 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE mah-jong before 1.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (server crash) via a missing argume
CVE-2003-0706 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Unknown vulnerability in mah-jong 1.5.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (tigh

References

← Back to latest CVEs