CVE-2003-0949: xsok 1.02 does not properly drop privileges before finding and executing the "gunzip" program, which allows lo

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0949 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting xsok. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

xsok 1.02 does not properly drop privileges before finding and executing the "gunzip" program, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 64%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-02-03
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: michael bischoff

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

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

michael bischoff xsok DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.02

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.02

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.02 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison xsok sudo apt install xsok=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.02> sudo apt-mark hold xsok

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

dnf --showduplicates list xsok sudo dnf downgrade xsok-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.02> sudo dnf versionlock add xsok

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-2003-0949?

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

Is CVE-2003-0949 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0949 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-2003-0949 affect?

CVE-2003-0949 affects xsok. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). xsok 1.02 does not properly drop privileges before finding and executing the "gunzip" program, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0949?

Priority 25/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2004-0074 MEDIUM 4.6 DOWNGRADE Multiple buffer overflows in xsok 1.02 allows local users to gain privileges via (1) a long LANG environment v

References

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