CVE-2003-0979: FreeScripts VisitorBook LE (visitorbook.pl) does not properly escape line breaks in input, which allows remote

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0979 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting visitorbook. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

FreeScripts VisitorBook LE (visitorbook.pl) does not properly escape line breaks in input, which allows remote attackers to (1) use VisitorBook as an open mail relay, when $mailuser is 1, via extra headers in the email field, or (2) cause the guestbook database to be deleted via a large number of line breaks that exceeds the $max_posts variable.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 33%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-01-05
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: freescripts

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

freescripts visitorbook DOWNGRADE

Affected: le

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before le

1. Check installed version

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

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

apt-cache madison visitorbook sudo apt install visitorbook=<VERSION_BEFORE_le> sudo apt-mark hold visitorbook

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

dnf --showduplicates list visitorbook sudo dnf downgrade visitorbook-<VERSION_BEFORE_le> sudo dnf versionlock add visitorbook

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-2003-0979?

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

Is CVE-2003-0979 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0979 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-2003-0979 affect?

CVE-2003-0979 affects visitorbook. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). FreeScripts VisitorBook LE (visitorbook.pl) does not properly escape line breaks in input, which allows remote attackers to (1) use VisitorBook as an open mail relay, when $mailuser is 1, via extra headers in the email field, or (2) cause t

How urgent is CVE-2003-0979?

Priority 34/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2003-0980 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in FreeScripts VisitorBook LE (visitorbook.pl) allows remote attacker

References

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