CVE-2007-2797: xterm, including 192-7.el4 in Red Hat Enterprise Linux and 208-3.1 in Debian GNU/Linux, sets the wrong group o

Routine

LOW 2.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2007-2797 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting xterm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

xterm, including 192-7.el4 in Red Hat Enterprise Linux and 208-3.1 in Debian GNU/Linux, sets the wrong group ownership of tty devices, which allows local users to write data to other users' terminals.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 66%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2007-08-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: xterm

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2007-08-27 17:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:40 UTCUpdated Record last modified

xterm xterm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 192-7.el4 · 208-3.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 192-7.el4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 192-7.el4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison xterm sudo apt install xterm=<VERSION_BEFORE_192-7.el4> sudo apt-mark hold xterm

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

dnf --showduplicates list xterm sudo dnf downgrade xterm-<VERSION_BEFORE_192-7.el4> sudo dnf versionlock add xterm

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-2007-2797?

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

Is CVE-2007-2797 being exploited?

CVE-2007-2797 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-2007-2797 affect?

CVE-2007-2797 affects xterm. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). xterm, including 192-7.el4 in Red Hat Enterprise Linux and 208-3.1 in Debian GNU/Linux, sets the wrong group ownership of tty devices, which allows local users to write data to other users' terminals.

How urgent is CVE-2007-2797?

Priority 21/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · Red Hat Enterprise Linux vulnerabilities

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References

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