HIGHPOC
CVE-2003-0434
NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: July 24, 2003· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
7.5
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
Various PDF viewers including (1) Adobe Acrobat 5.06 and (2) Xpdf 1.01 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in an embedded hyperlink.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2003-0434 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2003-0434. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityP
IntegrityP
AvailabilityP
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Affected Vendors & Products
Adobe1 product(s)
acrobat
mandrakesoft2 product(s)
mandrake linuxmandrake linux corporate server
Red Hat3 product(s)
enterprise linuxlinuxlinux advanced workstation
xpdf1 product(s)
xpdf
Source: NVD CPE · 12 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (18)
→
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/200132US Government Resource
→
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-196.htmlPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-197.htmlPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/200132US Government Resource
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2003-0434
CVSS Score7.5 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessNVD-CWE-Other
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedJul 24, 2003
Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2003-0434 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.