CVE-2003-1540: WF-Chat 1.0 Beta stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allow

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-1540 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting wfchat. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

WF-Chat 1.0 Beta stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain authentication information via a direct request to (1) !pwds.txt and (2) !nicks.txt.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	3.2% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200
Published	2003-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: wfchat

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

wfchat wfchat DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0 beta

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison wfchat sudo apt install wfchat=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold wfchat

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

dnf --showduplicates list wfchat sudo dnf downgrade wfchat-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add wfchat

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: WFChat 1.0 - Information Disclosure

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-2003-1540?

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

Is CVE-2003-1540 being exploited?

CVE-2003-1540 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-2003-1540 affect?

CVE-2003-1540 affects wfchat. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). WF-Chat 1.0 Beta stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain authentication information via a direct request to (1) !pwds.txt and (2) !nicks.txt.

How urgent is CVE-2003-1540?

Priority 45/100. Public exploit reference

References

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