CVE-2004-0451: Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the (1) logquit, (2) logerr, or (3) loginfo functions in Software Up

This week

HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-0451 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting sup, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the (1) logquit, (2) logerr, or (3) loginfo functions in Software Upgrade Protocol (SUP) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in messages that are logged by syslog.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	4.4% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-12-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · sup

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-12-06 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sup sup DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.8

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison sup sudo apt install sup=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.8> sudo apt-mark hold sup

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

dnf --showduplicates list sup sudo dnf downgrade sup-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.8> sudo dnf versionlock add sup

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

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-2004-0451?

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

Is CVE-2004-0451 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0451 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-2004-0451 affect?

CVE-2004-0451 affects sup, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the (1) logquit, (2) logerr, or (3) loginfo functions in Software Upgrade Protocol (SUP) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in messages that are logged by

How urgent is CVE-2004-0451?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2013-4479 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE lib/sup/message_chunks.rb in Sup before 0.13.2.1 and 0.14.x before 0.14.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute
CVE-2013-4478 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE Sup before 0.13.2.1 and 0.14.x before 0.14.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell
CVE-2003-0606 MEDIUM 4.6 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE sup 1.8 and earlier does not properly create temporary files, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary

References

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