CVE-2004-1616: Links allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a web page or HTML email t

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-1616 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting links. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Links allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a web page or HTML email that contains a table with a td element and a large rowspan value,as demonstrated by mangleme.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.9% (top 21%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-10-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: links

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-10-18 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

links links DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.91 · 0.92 · 0.93 · 0.94 · 0.95 · 0.96 · 0.97 · 0.98

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.91

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.91 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison links sudo apt install links=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.91> sudo apt-mark hold links

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

dnf --showduplicates list links sudo dnf downgrade links-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.91> sudo dnf versionlock add links

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-2004-1616?

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

Is CVE-2004-1616 being exploited?

CVE-2004-1616 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-2004-1616 affect?

CVE-2004-1616 affects links. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Links allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a web page or HTML email that contains a table with a td element and a large rowspan value,as demonstrated by mangleme.

How urgent is CVE-2004-1616?

Priority 42/100. Public exploit reference

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References

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