CVE-2004-1997: Kolab stores OpenLDAP passwords in plaintext in the slapd.conf file, which may be installed world-readable, wh

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-1997 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting kolab groupware server, openpkg. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Kolab stores OpenLDAP passwords in plaintext in the slapd.conf file, which may be installed world-readable, which allows local users to gain privileges.

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	0.4% (top 61%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-05-05
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: kolab · openpkg

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-05-05 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kolab kolab groupware server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0 · 1.0.1 · 1.0.3 · 1.0.5 · 1.0.6 · 1.0.7 · 1.0.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy kolab-groupware-server || rpm -q kolab-groupware-server || kolab-groupware-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kolab-groupware-server sudo apt install kolab-groupware-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold kolab-groupware-server

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

dnf --showduplicates list kolab-groupware-server sudo dnf downgrade kolab-groupware-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add kolab-groupware-server

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.

openpkg openpkg DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

1. Check installed version

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

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

apt-cache madison openpkg sudo apt install openpkg=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold openpkg

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

dnf --showduplicates list openpkg sudo dnf downgrade openpkg-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add openpkg

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-2004-1997?

kolab groupware server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; openpkg: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-1997 being exploited?

CVE-2004-1997 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-2004-1997 affect?

CVE-2004-1997 affects kolab groupware server, openpkg. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Kolab stores OpenLDAP passwords in plaintext in the slapd.conf file, which may be installed world-readable, which allows local users to gain privileges.

How urgent is CVE-2004-1997?

Priority 31/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

OpenLDAP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2008-4165 MEDIUM 4.0 DOWNGRADE admin/user/create_user.php in Kolab Groupware Server 1.0.0 places a user password in an HTTP GET request, whic
CVE-2006-0213 MEDIUM 4.6 UPGRADE Kolab Server 2.0.1, 2.0.2 and development versions pre-2.1-20051215 and earlier, when authenticating users via
CVE-2005-4828 MEDIUM 6.4 DOWNGRADE Kolab Server 2.0.0 and 2.0.1 does not properly handle when a large email is sent with a "." in the wrong place

References

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