CVE-2004-0772: Double free vulnerabilities in error handling code in krb524d for MIT Kerberos 5 (krb5) 1.2.8 and earlier may

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-0772 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting kerberos 5, openpkg, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Double free vulnerabilities in error handling code in krb524d for MIT Kerberos 5 (krb5) 1.2.8 and earlier may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	7.0% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-415
Published	2004-10-20
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · mit · openpkg

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-10-20 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mit kerberos 5 UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.2.8

Fixed in: newer than 1.2.8

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy kerberos-5 || rpm -q kerberos-5 || kerberos-5 --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.2.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade kerberos-5

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade kerberos-5

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

openpkg openpkg DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0 · 2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openpkg sudo apt install openpkg=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold openpkg

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

dnf --showduplicates list openpkg sudo dnf downgrade openpkg-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add openpkg

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-2004-0772?

kerberos 5: upgrade to newer than 1.2.8; openpkg: 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-2004-0772 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0772 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-2004-0772 affect?

CVE-2004-0772 affects kerberos 5, openpkg, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Double free vulnerabilities in error handling code in krb524d for MIT Kerberos 5 (krb5) 1.2.8 and earlier may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

How urgent is CVE-2004-0772?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-40356 MEDIUM 5.9 UPGRADE In MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) before 1.22.3, there is an integer underflow and resultant out-of-bounds read if
CVE-2026-40355 MEDIUM 5.9 UPGRADE In MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) before 1.22.3, there is a NULL pointer dereference if an application calls gss_ac
CVE-2022-42898 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE PAC parsing in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) before 1.19.4 and 1.20.x before 1.20.1 has integer overflows that may
CVE-2021-37750 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE The Key Distribution Center (KDC) in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) before 1.18.5 and 1.19.x before 1.19.3 has a NU
CVE-2021-36222 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE ec_verify in kdc/kdc_preauth_ec.c in the Key Distribution Center (KDC) in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) before 1.1

References

← Back to latest CVEs