CVE-2011-0703: In gksu-polkit before 0.0.3, the source file for xauth may contain arbitrary commands that may allow an attack

Q: How do I fix CVE-2011-0703?

gksu-polkit: upgrade to 0.0.3; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2011-0703 being exploited?

CVE-2011-0703 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2011-0703 affect?

CVE-2011-0703 affects gksu-polkit, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In gksu-polkit before 0.0.3, the source file for xauth may contain arbitrary commands that may allow an attacker to overtake an administrator X11 session.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2011-0703?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2011-0703 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting gksu-polkit, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In gksu-polkit before 0.0.3, the source file for xauth may contain arbitrary commands that may allow an attacker to overtake an administrator X11 session.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 30%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2019-11-15
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: debian · gksu-polkit project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-11-15 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:27 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gksu-polkit project gksu-polkit UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.0.3

Fixed in: 0.0.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy gksu-polkit || rpm -q gksu-polkit || gksu-polkit --version

2. UPGRADE to 0.0.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade gksu-polkit

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gksu-polkit

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2011-0703?

gksu-polkit: upgrade to 0.0.3; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2011-0703 being exploited?

CVE-2011-0703 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-2011-0703 affect?

CVE-2011-0703 affects gksu-polkit, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In gksu-polkit before 0.0.3, the source file for xauth may contain arbitrary commands that may allow an attacker to overtake an administrator X11 session.

How urgent is CVE-2011-0703?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2013-4161 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE gksu-polkit-0.0.3-6.fc18 was reported as fixing the issue in CVE-2012-5617 but the patch was improperly applie
CVE-2012-5617 HIGH 7.8 MITIGATE MITIGATE gksu-polkit: permissive PolicyKit policy configuration file allows privilege escalation

References

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