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CVE-2002-0542

7.2 · HIGH

mail in OpenBSD 2.9 and 3.0 processes a tilde (~) escape character in a message even when it is not in interactive mode, which could allow local users to gain root privileges via calls to mail in c…

Published Jul 3, 2002openbsdEPSS 1.53%

Overview

CVE-2002-0542 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting openbsd openbsd. It was published on July 3, 2002 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2 (HIGH).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

Technical description

mail in OpenBSD 2.9 and 3.0 processes a tilde (~) escape character in a message even when it is not in interactive mode, which could allow local users to gain root privileges via calls to mail in cron.

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from openbsd. Update openbsd to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

Affected products

VendorProductVersionsStatus

References

Refmarc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=101855467811695&w=2Refonline.securityfocus.com/archive/1/267089Refwww.iss.net/security_center/static/8818.phpRefwww.openbsd.org/errata30.html#mailRefwww.osvdb.org/5269Refwww.securityfocus.com/bid/4495Refmarc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=101855467811695&w=2Refonline.securityfocus.com/archive/1/267089Refwww.iss.net/security_center/static/8818.phpRefwww.openbsd.org/errata30.html#mail

How CyberStrike helps

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2002-0542?

CVE-2002-0542 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting openbsd openbsd. It was published on July 3, 2002 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2002-0542?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2002-0542?

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from openbsd. Update openbsd to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2002-0542?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2002-0542 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

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