CVE-2004-0160: Synaesthesia 2.2 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on the configur

Routine

HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-0160 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting synaesthesia. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Synaesthesia 2.2 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on the configuration file.

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-03-29
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: synaesthesia

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-03-29 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

synaesthesia synaesthesia DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.1.0 · 2.1.1 · 2.1.2 · 2.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison synaesthesia sudo apt install synaesthesia=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1.0> sudo apt-mark hold synaesthesia

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

dnf --showduplicates list synaesthesia sudo dnf downgrade synaesthesia-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add synaesthesia

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-2004-0160?

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

Is CVE-2004-0160 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0160 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-2004-0160 affect?

CVE-2004-0160 affects synaesthesia. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Synaesthesia 2.2 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on the configuration file.

How urgent is CVE-2004-0160?

Priority 34/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-0070 HIGH 7.2 UPGRADE Synaesthesia 2.1 and earlier, and possibly other versions, when installed setuid root, does not drop privilege

References

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