CVE-2003-0853: An integer overflow in ls in the fileutils or coreutils packages may allow local users to cause a denial of se

This week

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0853 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting fileutils, wu-ftpd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An integer overflow in ls in the fileutils or coreutils packages may allow local users to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via a large -w value, which could be remotely exploited via applications that use ls, such as wu-ftpd.

Why this priority

EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	11.1% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-11-17
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gnu · washington university

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-11-17 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu fileutils DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0 · 4.0.36 · 4.1 · 4.1.6 · 4.1.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison fileutils sudo apt install fileutils=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold fileutils

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

dnf --showduplicates list fileutils sudo dnf downgrade fileutils-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add fileutils

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.

washington university wu-ftpd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.4.1 · 2.4.2_beta2 · 2.4.2_beta18 · 2.4.2_beta18_vr4 · 2.4.2_beta18_vr5 · 2.4.2_beta18_vr6 · 2.4.2_beta18_vr7 · 2.4.2_beta18_vr8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.4.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy wu-ftpd || rpm -q wu-ftpd || wu-ftpd --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.4.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison wu-ftpd sudo apt install wu-ftpd=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.4.1> sudo apt-mark hold wu-ftpd

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

dnf --showduplicates list wu-ftpd sudo dnf downgrade wu-ftpd-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.4.1> sudo dnf versionlock add wu-ftpd

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: Coreutils 4.5.x - LS Width Argument Integer 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-2003-0853?

fileutils: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; wu-ftpd: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0853 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0853 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-2003-0853 affect?

CVE-2003-0853 affects fileutils, wu-ftpd. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). An integer overflow in ls in the fileutils or coreutils packages may allow local users to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via a large -w value, which could be remotely exploited via applications that use ls, such as wu-f

How urgent is CVE-2003-0853?

Priority 46/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2013-2516 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE Vulnerability in FileUtils v0.7, Ruby Gem Fileutils <= v0.7 Command Injection vulnerability in user supplied u
CVE-2003-0854 LOW 2.1 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE ls in the fileutils or coreutils packages allows local users to consume a large amount of memory via a large -
CVE-2002-0435 LOW 1.2 DOWNGRADE Race condition in the recursive (1) directory deletion and (2) directory move in GNU File Utilities (fileutils

References

← Back to latest CVEs