CVE-2003-0903: Buffer overflow in a component of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.5 through 2.8 allows remote attack

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0903 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting data access components. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in a component of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.5 through 2.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed UDP response to a broadcast request.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	37.5% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2004-02-17
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: microsoft

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-02-17 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

microsoft data access components DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.5 · 2.6 · 2.7 · 2.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.5

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy data-access-components || rpm -q data-access-components || data-access-components --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison data-access-components sudo apt install data-access-components=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5> sudo apt-mark hold data-access-components

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

dnf --showduplicates list data-access-components sudo dnf downgrade data-access-components-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5> sudo dnf versionlock add data-access-components

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-2003-0903?

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

Is CVE-2003-0903 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0903 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-2003-0903 affect?

CVE-2003-0903 affects data access components. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Buffer overflow in a component of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.5 through 2.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed UDP response to a broadcast request.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0903?

Priority 65/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

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References

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