CVE-2004-0778: CVS 1.11.x before 1.11.17, and 1.12.x before 1.12.9, allows remote attackers to determine the existence of arb

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0UPGRADE

CVE-2004-0778 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting cvs. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

CVS 1.11.x before 1.11.17, and 1.12.x before 1.12.9, allows remote attackers to determine the existence of arbitrary files and directories via the -X command for an alternate history file, which causes different error messages to be returned.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	2.4% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-203
Published	2004-10-20
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gnu

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

gnu cvs UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.11.0 and < 1.11.17 · >= 1.12.0 and < 1.12.9

Fixed in: 1.11.17, 1.12.9

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.11.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.11.17 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade cvs

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade cvs

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.11.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cvs sudo apt install cvs=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.11.0> sudo apt-mark hold cvs

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list cvs sudo dnf downgrade cvs-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.11.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cvs

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-2004-0778?

cvs: upgrade to 1.11.17, 1.12.9. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-0778 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0778 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-2004-0778 affect?

CVE-2004-0778 affects cvs. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). CVS 1.11.x before 1.11.17, and 1.12.x before 1.12.9, allows remote attackers to determine the existence of arbitrary files and directories via the -X command for an alternate history file, which causes different error messages to be returne

How urgent is CVE-2004-0778?

Priority 39/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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