CVE-2004-1170: a2ps 4.13 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the filename.

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-1170 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting a2ps, java desktop system, suse linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

a2ps 4.13 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the filename.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	16.0% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gnu · sun · suse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-01-10 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu a2ps DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.13 · 4.13b

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.13

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy a2ps || rpm -q a2ps || a2ps --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.13 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison a2ps sudo apt install a2ps=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.13> sudo apt-mark hold a2ps

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

dnf --showduplicates list a2ps sudo dnf downgrade a2ps-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.13> sudo dnf versionlock add a2ps

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.

sun java desktop system DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0 · 2003

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy java-desktop-system || rpm -q java-desktop-system || java-desktop-system --version

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

apt-cache madison java-desktop-system sudo apt install java-desktop-system=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold java-desktop-system

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

dnf --showduplicates list java-desktop-system sudo dnf downgrade java-desktop-system-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add java-desktop-system

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.

suse suse linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8 · 8.1 · 8.2 · 9.0 · 9.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: GNU a2ps 4.13 - File Name Command Execution

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-2004-1170?

a2ps: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; java desktop system: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; suse linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-1170 being exploited?

CVE-2004-1170 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-2004-1170 affect?

CVE-2004-1170 affects a2ps, java desktop system, suse linux. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). a2ps 4.13 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the filename.

How urgent is CVE-2004-1170?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Java vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2015-8107 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Format string vulnerability in GNU a2ps 4.14 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
CVE-2014-0466 MEDIUM 6.8 DOWNGRADE The fixps script in a2ps 4.14 does not use the -dSAFER option when executing gs, which allows context-dependen
CVE-2004-1377 LOW 2.1 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE The (1) fixps (aka fixps.in) and (2) psmandup (aka psmandup.in) scripts in a2ps before 4.13 allow local users
CVE-2001-1593 LOW 2.1 UPGRADE The tempname_ensure function in lib/routines.h in a2ps 4.14 and earlier, as used by the spy_user function and

References

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