CVE-2003-0977: CVS server before 1.11.10 may allow attackers to cause the CVS server to create directories and files in the f

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HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2003-0977 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting cvs, slackware linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

CVS server before 1.11.10 may allow attackers to cause the CVS server to create directories and files in the file system root directory via malformed module requests.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.5% (top 15%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-01-05
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cvs · slackware

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-01-05 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cvs cvs DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.10.7 · 1.10.8 · 1.11 · 1.11.1 · 1.11.1_p1 · 1.11.2 · 1.11.3 · 1.11.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.10.7

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.10.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cvs sudo apt install cvs=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10.7> sudo apt-mark hold cvs

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

dnf --showduplicates list cvs sudo dnf downgrade cvs-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10.7> sudo dnf versionlock add cvs

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.

slackware slackware linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.1 · 9.0 · 9.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.1

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2003-0977?

cvs: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; slackware linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0977 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0977 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-2003-0977 affect?

CVE-2003-0977 affects cvs, slackware linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). CVS server before 1.11.10 may allow attackers to cause the CVS server to create directories and files in the file system root directory via malformed module requests.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0977?

Priority 52/100. High severity; On your watchlist

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References

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