How severe is CVE-2003-0308?

CVE-2003-0308 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2003-0308 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (32nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2003-0308?

CVE-2003-0308 primarily affects Sendmail. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2003-0308?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2003-0308 published?

CVE-2003-0308 was published on 2003-05-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2003-0308

CVE-2003-0308 is a high-severity vulnerability in Sendmail with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (32nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Sendmail
Published: 2003-05-15
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The Sendmail 8.12.3 package in Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 does not securely create temporary files, which could allow local users to gain additional privileges via (1) expn, (2) checksendmail, or (3) doublebounce.pl.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2003-0308?: The Sendmail 8.12.3 package in Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 does not securely create temporary files, which could allow local users to gain additional privileges via (1) expn, (2) checksendmail, or (3) doublebounce.pl.
How severe is CVE-2003-0308?: CVE-2003-0308 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2003-0308 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (32nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2003-0308?: CVE-2003-0308 primarily affects Sendmail. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2003-0308?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2003-0308 published?: CVE-2003-0308 was published on 2003-05-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:sendmail:sendmail:8.9.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:sendmail:sendmail:8.12.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:sendmail:sendmail:8.12.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Sendmail

CVE-2003-0694 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The prescan function in Sendmail 8.12.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via buffer overflow attacks,…
CVE-2003-0161 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The prescan() function in the address parser (parseaddr.c) in Sendmail before 8.12.9 does not properly handle certain…
CVE-2002-1337 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in Sendmail 5.79 to 8.12.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via certain formatted…
CVE-2007-2246 — High (CVSS 7.8): Unspecified vulnerability in HP-UX B.11.00 and B.11.11, when running sendmail 8.9.3 or 8.11.1; and HP-UX B.11.23 when…
CVE-2006-0058 — High (CVSS 7.6): Signal handler race condition in Sendmail 8.13.x before 8.13.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by…
CVE-2009-4565 — High (CVSS 7.5): sendmail before 8.14.4 does not properly handle a '\0' character in a Common Name (CN) field of an X.509 certificate,…

All CVEs affecting Sendmail →