CVE-2003-0190: OpenSSH-portable (OpenSSH) 3.6.1p1 and earlier with PAM support enabled immediately sends an error message when a user does not exist, which…
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Plan (action score 43/100)
- A ready-made attack module is public (Metasploit); exploiting it takes no special expertise.
- Public proof-of-concept code exists (Exploit-DB); there is no record of exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 76.7% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 99.5% of all records.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- Fixed version: openssh (Debian:12) 1:3.8.1p1-8.sarge.4.
Add it to your regular patch cycle. Upgrade to openssh (Debian:12) 1:3.8.1p1-8.sarge.4 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
OpenSSH-portable (OpenSSH) 3.6.1p1 and earlier with PAM support enabled immediately sends an error message when a user does not exist, which allows remote attackers to determine valid usernames via a timing attack.
- Published
- May 12, 2003
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 76.7% · 99th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-203
Report tools
Action score
43
Add it to your regular patch cycle.
- CVSS
- 20 / 40 · 5.0 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 23 / 30 · 76.7%
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- Weaponized exploit exists
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
Is OpenSSH on your server exposed to the internet?Run a port scan
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 |
|---|---|---|
| openbsd | openssh | cpe:2.3:a:openbsd:openssh |
| openpkg | openpkg | cpe:2.3:a:openpkg:openpkg |
| siemens | scalance x204rna ecc firmware | cpe:2.3:o:siemens:scalance_x204rna_ecc_firmware |
| siemens | scalance x204rna ecc | cpe:2.3:h:siemens:scalance_x204rna_ecc |
| siemens | scalance x204rna firmware | cpe:2.3:o:siemens:scalance_x204rna_firmware |
| siemens | scalance x204rna | cpe:2.3:h:siemens:scalance_x204rna |
Is OpenSSH on your server exposed to the internet?
The free port scanner finds the open ports on your server and matches the service versions it can read against known vulnerabilities. No account needed.
Run a port scanAffected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- openbsd opensshbefore 3.6.1
- openbsd openssh3.6.1
- openpkg openpkg1.2
- openpkg openpkg1.3
- siemens scalance x204rna ecc firmwarebefore 3.2.7
- siemens scalance x204rna firmwarebefore 3.2.7
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | openssh | before 1:3.8.1p1-8.sarge.4 | 1:3.8.1p1-8.sarge.4 |
Same product
openbsd: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2026-123158sshd in OpenSSH before 10.6p2 on Linux, when musl libc is used without PAM, lacks a workaround for a password authentication bypass…KEV68This week
- CVE-2023-38408The PKCS#11 feature in ssh-agent in OpenSSH before 9.3p2 has an insufficiently trustworthy search path, leading to remote code execution if…63This week
- CVE-2018-15473OpenSSH through 7.7 is prone to a user enumeration vulnerability due to not delaying bailout for an invalid authenticating user until after…60This week
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2002-0640Jul 3, 2002 · Buffer overflow in sshd in OpenSSH 2.3.1 through 3.3 may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large number of responses…48Plan
- ← EarlierCVE-2002-0765Aug 12, 2002 · sshd in OpenSSH 3.2.2, when using YP with netgroups and under certain conditions, may allow users to successfully authenticate and log in…30Monitor
- Later →CVE-2003-0386Jul 2, 2003 · OpenSSH 3.6.1 and earlier, when restricting host access by numeric IP addresses and with VerifyReverseMapping disabled, allows remote…32Monitor
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:openssh | 1:3.8.1p1-8.sarge.4 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
Weaponized
A ready exploit tool or active in-the-wild use is known for this vulnerability. This should be your top priority.
Evidence
- Metasploit module ×1
- Exploit-DB entry ×3
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 | remote | 2003-05-02 |
| Exploit-DB entry | remote | 2003-04-30 |
| Exploit-DB entry | remote | 2007-02-13 |
| Metasploit module | auxiliary/scanner/ssh/ssh_enumusersSSH Username Enumerationauxiliary | — |
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-12 d
- Published
- TodayNov 15, 2026+8588 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
- P · data can be read
- Integrity
- none
- Availability
- none
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Confidentiality impact
- P
- Integrity impact
- None
- Availability impact
- None
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-203 · Observable DiscrepancyCVSS vector
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
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.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
ATT&CK techniques
—
Change log (1)
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (8 more)Show less
- lists.grok.org.uk/pipermail/full-disclosure/2003-April/004815.html
- marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=105172058404810&w=2
- marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=106018677302607&w=2
- www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-222.html
- www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-224.html
- www.turbolinux.com/security/TLSA-2003-31.txt
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-412672.pdf
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A445
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.