CVE-2003-0744: The fetchnews NNTP client in leafnode 1.9.3 to 1.9.41 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (pr

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0744 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting leafnode. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The fetchnews NNTP client in leafnode 1.9.3 to 1.9.41 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process hang and termination) via certain malformed Usenet news articles that cause fetchnews to hang while waiting for input.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.8% (top 21%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-10-20
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: leafnode

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-10-20 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

leafnode leafnode DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.9.19 · 1.9.20 · 1.9.21 · 1.9.22 · 1.9.23 · 1.9.24 · 1.9.25 · 1.9.26

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.9.19

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.9.19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison leafnode sudo apt install leafnode=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.19> sudo apt-mark hold leafnode

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

dnf --showduplicates list leafnode sudo dnf downgrade leafnode-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.19> sudo dnf versionlock add leafnode

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-2003-0744?

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

Is CVE-2003-0744 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0744 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-2003-0744 affect?

CVE-2003-0744 affects leafnode. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The fetchnews NNTP client in leafnode 1.9.3 to 1.9.41 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process hang and termination) via certain malformed Usenet news articles that cause fetchnews to hang while waiting for input.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0744?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-1911 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The fetchnews NNTP client in leafnode 1.11.2 and earlier can hang while waiting for input that never arrives,
CVE-2005-1453 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE fetchnews in leafnode 1.9.48 to 1.11.1 allows remote NNTP servers to cause a denial of service (crash) by clos
CVE-2004-2068 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE fetchnews in leafnode 1.9.47 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process hang) v
CVE-2002-1661 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The leafnode server in leafnode 1.9.20 to 1.9.29 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinit

References

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