CVE-2003-0854: ls in the fileutils or coreutils packages allows local users to consume a large amount of memory via a large -

Routine

LOW 2.1DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0854 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting fileutils, wu-ftpd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ls in the fileutils or coreutils packages allows local users to consume a large amount of memory via a large -w value, which can be remotely exploited via applications that use ls, such as wu-ftpd.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 34%)
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: WU-FTPD 2.6.2 - 'wuftpd-freezer.c' Remote Denial of Service

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-2003-0854?

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-2003-0854 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0854 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-2003-0854 affect?

CVE-2003-0854 affects fileutils, wu-ftpd. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). ls in the fileutils or coreutils packages allows local users to consume a large amount of memory via a large -w value, which can be remotely exploited via applications that use ls, such as wu-ftpd.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0854?

Priority 29/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

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CVE-2003-0853 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE An integer overflow in ls in the fileutils or coreutils packages may allow local users to cause a denial of se
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

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