CVE-2003-0947: Buffer overflow in iwconfig, when installed setuid, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long OU

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0947 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting wireless tools. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in iwconfig, when installed setuid, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long OUT environment variable.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2003-12-15
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: wireless tools project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-12-15 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

wireless tools project wireless tools DOWNGRADE

Affected: 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 19

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy wireless-tools || rpm -q wireless-tools || wireless-tools --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison wireless-tools sudo apt install wireless-tools=<VERSION_BEFORE_19> sudo apt-mark hold wireless-tools

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

dnf --showduplicates list wireless-tools sudo dnf downgrade wireless-tools-<VERSION_BEFORE_19> sudo dnf versionlock add wireless-tools

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: Wireless Tools 26 (IWConfig) - ARGV Local Command Line Buffer Overflow (1)
Exploit-DB: Wireless Tools 26 (IWConfig) - ARGV Local Command Line Buffer Overflow (2)
Exploit-DB: Wireless Tools 26 (IWConfig) - ARGV Local Command Line Buffer Overflow (3)
Exploit-DB: Wireless Tools 26 (IWConfig) - Local Privilege Escalation

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-2003-0947?

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

Is CVE-2003-0947 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0947 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-2003-0947 affect?

CVE-2003-0947 affects wireless tools. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Buffer overflow in iwconfig, when installed setuid, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long OUT environment variable.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0947?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2003-0948 HIGH 7.2 DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in iwconfig allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long HOME environment variable.

References

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