PatchTheCVECVE-2004-0803: Multiple vulnerabilities in the RLE (run length encoding) decoders for libtiff 3.6.1 and earlier, related to b
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This month
HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE
CVE-2004-0803 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting libtiff, pdf library, wxgtk2. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Multiple vulnerabilities in the RLE (run length encoding) decoders for libtiff 3.6.1 and earlier, related to buffer overflows and integer overflows, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via TIFF files.
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.5 (High) |
| EPSS exploit chance | 8.3% (top 5%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Published | 2004-12-23 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-16 |
Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
libtiff libtiff DOWNGRADE
Affected: 3.4 · 3.5.1 · 3.5.2 · 3.5.3 · 3.5.4 · 3.5.5 · 3.5.7 · 3.6.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.4
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy libtiff || rpm -q libtiff || libtiff --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison libtiff
sudo apt install libtiff=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.4>
sudo apt-mark hold libtiff
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list libtiff
sudo dnf downgrade libtiff-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.4>
sudo dnf versionlock add libtiff
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.
pdflib pdf library DOWNGRADE
Affected: 5.0.2
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0.2
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy pdf-library || rpm -q pdf-library || pdf-library --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison pdf-library
sudo apt install pdf-library=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.2>
sudo apt-mark hold pdf-library
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list pdf-library
sudo dnf downgrade pdf-library-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.2>
sudo dnf versionlock add pdf-library
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.
wxgtk2 wxgtk2 DOWNGRADE
Affected: 2.5_.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.5_.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy wxgtk2 || rpm -q wxgtk2 || wxgtk2 --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.5_.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison wxgtk2
sudo apt install wxgtk2=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5_.0>
sudo apt-mark hold wxgtk2
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list wxgtk2
sudo dnf downgrade wxgtk2-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5_.0>
sudo dnf versionlock add wxgtk2
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.
apple mac os x MITIGATE
Affected: 10.2 · 10.2.1 · 10.2.2 · 10.2.3 · 10.2.4 · 10.2.5 · 10.2.6 · 10.2.7
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.2
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.
apple mac os x server MITIGATE
Affected: 10.2 · 10.2.1 · 10.2.2 · 10.2.3 · 10.2.4 · 10.2.5 · 10.2.6 · 10.2.7
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.2
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.
kde kde MITIGATE
Affected: 3.2 · 3.2.1 · 3.2.2 · 3.2.3 · 3.3 · 3.3.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.2
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.
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-2004-0803?
libtiff: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; pdf library: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; wxgtk2: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2004-0803 being exploited?
CVE-2004-0803 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-2004-0803 affect?
CVE-2004-0803 affects libtiff, pdf library, wxgtk2. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Multiple vulnerabilities in the RLE (run length encoding) decoders for libtiff 3.6.1 and earlier, related to buffer overflows and integer overflows, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via TIFF files.
How urgent is CVE-2004-0803?
Priority 50/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
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- CVE-2026-4775 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in the libtiff library
- CVE-2023-52355 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE An out-of-memory flaw was found in libtiff that could be triggered by passing a crafted tiff file to the TIFFR
- CVE-2006-2656 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Stack-based buffer overflow in the tiffsplit command in libtiff 3.8.2 and earlier might might allow attackers