CVE-2003-0127: The kernel module loader in Linux kernel 2.2.x before 2.2.25, and 2.4.x before 2.4.21, allows local users to gain root privileges by using…
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Monitor (action score 28/100)
- Public proof-of-concept code exists (Exploit-DB, GitHub); there is no record of exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 1.5% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 75.7% of all records.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- Fixed version: kernel-image-2.2.20-i386 (Debian:3.0) 2.2.20-5woody3; kernel-image-2.4.16-lart (Debian:3.0) 20040419; kernel-image-2.4.16-netwinder (Debian:3.0) 20040419.
Low priority for now. Upgrade to kernel-image-2.2.20-i386 (Debian:3.0) 2.2.20-5woody3; kernel-image-2.4.16-lart (Debian:3.0) 20040419; kernel-image-2.4.16-netwinder (Debian:3.0) 20040419 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS
The kernel module loader in Linux kernel 2.2.x before 2.2.25, and 2.4.x before 2.4.21, allows local users to gain root privileges by using ptrace to attach to a child process that is spawned by the kernel.
- Published
- Mar 31, 2003
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 1.5% · 75th percentile
- CWE
- —
Report tools
Action score
28
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 28 / 40 · 7.2 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 0 / 30 · 1.5%
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- Proof of concept exists, no weaponized module
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
Is your version affected? Check itNoroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux kernel | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- linux linux kernel2.2.0
- linux linux kernel2.2.1
- linux linux kernel2.2.10
- linux linux kernel2.2.11
- linux linux kernel2.2.12
- linux linux kernel2.2.13
- linux linux kernel2.2.14
- linux linux kernel2.2.15
+12 more rows
- linux linux kernel2.2.16
- linux linux kernel2.2.17
- linux linux kernel2.2.18
- linux linux kernel2.2.19
- linux linux kernel2.2.2
- linux linux kernel2.2.20
- linux linux kernel2.2.21
- linux linux kernel2.2.22
- linux linux kernel2.2.23
- linux linux kernel2.2.24
- linux linux kernel2.2.3
- linux linux kernel2.2.4
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-image-2.2.20-i386 | before 2.2.20-5woody3 | 2.2.20-5woody3 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.16-lart | before 20040419 | 20040419 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.16-netwinder | before 20040419 | 20040419 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.16-riscpc | before 20040419 | 20040419 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.17-ia64 | before kernel-image-2.4.17-ia64 | kernel-image-2.4.17-ia64 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.17-s390 | before 2.4.17-2.woody.2.2 | 2.4.17-2.woody.2.2 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.18-1-i386 | before 2.4.18-8 | 2.4.18-8 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.18-i386bf | before 2.4.18-5woody1. | 2.4.18-5woody1. |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.16-arm | before 20040419 | 20040419 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.17-mips | before 2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody2 | 2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody2 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.17-mips | before 2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1 | 2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.17-s390 | before 0.0.20020816-0.woody.1.1 | 0.0.20020816-0.woody.1.1 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.18-powerpc | before 2.4.18-1woody1 | 2.4.18-1woody1 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.19-mips | before 2.4.19-0.020911.1.woody1 | 2.4.19-0.020911.1.woody1 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-source-2.2.20 | before 2.2.20-5woody2 | 2.2.20-5woody2 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.16 | before 2.4.16-1woody2 | 2.4.16-1woody2 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.17 | before 2.4.17-1woody1 | 2.4.17-1woody1 |
| Debian:3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.18 | before 2.4.18-9 | 2.4.18-9 |
Same product
linux: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2026-31431crypto: algif_aead - Revert to operating out-of-placeKEV90Now
- CVE-2022-0847A flaw was found in the way the "flags" member of the new pipe buffer structure was lacking proper initialization in copy_page_to_iter_pipe…KEV89Now
- CVE-2021-22555Heap Out-Of-Bounds Write in Netfilter IP6T_SO_SET_REPLACEKEV85Now
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2002-2254Dec 31, 2002 · The experimental IP packet queuing feature in Netfilter / IPTables in Linux kernel 2.4 up to 2.4.19 and 2.5 up to 2.5.31, when a privileged…8Monitor
- ← EarlierCVE-2003-0018Feb 19, 2003 · Linux kernel 2.4.10 through 2.4.21-pre4 does not properly handle the O_DIRECT feature, which allows local attackers with write privileges…14Monitor
- Later →CVE-2003-0244May 27, 2003 · The route cache implementation in Linux 2.4, and the Netfilter IP conntrack module, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service…22Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| debian:kernel-image-2.2.20-i386 | 2.2.20-5woody3 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-image-2.4.17-ia64 | kernel-image-2.4.17-ia64 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-image-2.4.17-s390 | 2.4.17-2.woody.2.2 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-image-2.4.18-1-i386 | 2.4.18-8 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-image-2.4.18-i386bf | 2.4.18-5woody1. · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-patch-2.4.17-mips | 2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-patch-2.4.17-s390 | 0.0.20020816-0.woody.1.1 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-patch-2.4.18-powerpc | 2.4.18-1woody1 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-patch-2.4.19-mips | 2.4.19-0.020911.1.woody1 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-source-2.2.20 | 2.2.20-5woody2 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-source-2.4.17 | 2.4.17-1woody1 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:kernel-source-2.4.18 | 2.4.18-9 · Debian:3.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
Proof of concept available
A public proof of concept or detection signature exists. Exploit knowledge is out there; don't delay patching.
Evidence
- Exploit-DB entry ×4
- Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub ×1
Noroxi does not host or link to exploit code. Metasploit module names and Nuclei template ids are shown (names, not code); Exploit-DB entries and PoC repositories are given as counts only.
| Source | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB entry | local | 2003-03-30 |
| Exploit-DB entry | local | 2003-03-17 |
| Exploit-DB entry | local | 2003-04-10 |
| Exploit-DB entry | local | 2003-04-14 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:1 | 2026-04-15 |
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
- First PoC-14 d
- Published
- TodayNov 15, 2026+8631 d
Not on record for this CVE: EPSS history · patch commit or PR link · researcher credit · variant or chain candidate · public bounty program.
Technical details
Attack conditions
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- C · data can be read
- Integrity
- C · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- C · the service can be disrupted
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Confidentiality impact
- C
- Integrity impact
- C
- Availability impact
- C
Weakness class (CWE)
—
CVSS vector
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
MITRE has no CAPEC/ATT&CK mapping for this CWE.
Change log (1)
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (19 more)Show less
- archives.neohapsis.com/archives/vulnwatch/2003-q1/0134.html
- marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=105301461726555&w=2
- rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2003-088.html
- rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2003-098.html
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200303-17.xml
- www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-270
- www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-276
- www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-311
- www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-312
- www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-332
- www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-336
- www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-423
- www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-495
- www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/628849
- www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2003:038
- www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2003:039
- www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-103.html
- www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-145.html
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A254
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.