CVE-2003-1478: Konqueror in KDE 3.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (core dump) via a web page that be

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MEDIUM 4.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-1478 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting konqueror. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Konqueror in KDE 3.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (core dump) via a web page that begins with a "xFFxFE" byte sequence and a large number of CRLF sequences, as demonstrated using freeze.htm.

Why this priority

EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	4.2% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2003-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: kde

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kde konqueror DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison konqueror sudo apt install konqueror=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.3> sudo apt-mark hold konqueror

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

dnf --showduplicates list konqueror sudo dnf downgrade konqueror-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.3> sudo dnf versionlock add konqueror

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: KDE Konqueror 3.0.3 - Malformed HTML Page Denial of Service

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-2003-1478?

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

Is CVE-2003-1478 being exploited?

CVE-2003-1478 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-2003-1478 affect?

CVE-2003-1478 affects konqueror. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). Konqueror in KDE 3.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (core dump) via a web page that begins with a "xFFxFE" byte sequence and a large number of CRLF sequences, as demonstrated using freeze.htm.

How urgent is CVE-2003-1478?

Priority 43/100. EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2009-2537 MEDIUM 4.3 MITIGATE KDE Konqueror allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a large integer va
CVE-2008-5712 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The HTML parser in KDE Konqueror 3.5.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash
CVE-2008-5698 MEDIUM 4.3 MITIGATE HTMLTokenizer::scriptHandler in Konqueror in KDE 3.5.9 and 3.5.10 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of
CVE-2008-4514 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The HTML parser in KDE Konqueror 3.5.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash
CVE-2008-4382 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Konqueror in KDE 3.5.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via Javascript

References

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