CVE-2004-1224: Off-by-one error in the mtr_curses_keyaction function for mtr 0.55 through 0.65 allows local users to hijack r

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-1224 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting mtr. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Off-by-one error in the mtr_curses_keyaction function for mtr 0.55 through 0.65 allows local users to hijack raw sockets, as demonstrated using the "s" keybinding, which leaves a buffer without a NULL terminator.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 73%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mtr

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

mtr mtr DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.55 · 0.56 · 0.57 · 0.58 · 0.59 · 0.60 · 0.61 · 0.62

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.55

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.55 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mtr sudo apt install mtr=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.55> sudo apt-mark hold mtr

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

dnf --showduplicates list mtr sudo dnf downgrade mtr-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.55> sudo dnf versionlock add mtr

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-2004-1224?

mtr: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-1224 being exploited?

CVE-2004-1224 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-2004-1224 affect?

CVE-2004-1224 affects mtr. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Off-by-one error in the mtr_curses_keyaction function for mtr 0.55 through 0.65 allows local users to hijack raw sockets, as demonstrated using the "s" keybinding, which leaves a buffer without a NULL terminator.

How urgent is CVE-2004-1224?

Priority 23/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2008-2357 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE Stack-based buffer overflow in the split_redraw function in split.c in mtr before 0.73, when invoked with the
CVE-2002-0497 LOW 2.1 DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in mtr 0.46 and earlier, when installed setuid root, allows local users to access a raw socket
CVE-2000-0172 HIGH 7.2 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE The mtr program only uses a seteuid call when attempting to drop privileges, which could allow local users to

References

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