CVE-2004-1876: The "%f" feature in the VirusEvent directive in Clam AntiVirus daemon (clamd) before 0.70 allows local users t

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-1876 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting clamav. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The "%f" feature in the VirusEvent directive in Clam AntiVirus daemon (clamd) before 0.70 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a file name.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 52%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-03-30
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: clam anti-virus

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-03-30 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

clam anti-virus clamav DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.51 · 0.52 · 0.53 · 0.54 · 0.60 · 0.65 · 0.67 · 0.68

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.51

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.51 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison clamav sudo apt install clamav=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.51> sudo apt-mark hold clamav

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

dnf --showduplicates list clamav sudo dnf downgrade clamav-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.51> sudo dnf versionlock add clamav

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-2004-1876?

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

Is CVE-2004-1876 being exploited?

CVE-2004-1876 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-2004-1876 affect?

CVE-2004-1876 affects clamav. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). The "%f" feature in the VirusEvent directive in Clam AntiVirus daemon (clamd) before 0.70 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a file name.

How urgent is CVE-2004-1876?

Priority 33/100. Public exploit reference

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References

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