How severe is CVE-2005-3120?

CVE-2005-3120 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2005-3120 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 23% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2005-3120?

CVE-2005-3120 primarily affects Debian Debian Linux. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2005-3120?

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

When was CVE-2005-3120 published?

CVE-2005-3120 was published on 2005-10-17 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2005-3120

CVE-2005-3120 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 23% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-131.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 23% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-131
Affected product: Debian Debian Linux
Published: 2005-10-17
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the HTrjis function in Lynx 2.8.6 and earlier allows remote NNTP servers to execute arbitrary code via certain article headers containing Asian characters that cause Lynx to add extra escape (ESC) characters.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2005-3120?: Stack-based buffer overflow in the HTrjis function in Lynx 2.8.6 and earlier allows remote NNTP servers to execute arbitrary code via certain article headers containing Asian characters that cause Lynx to add extra escape (ESC) characters.
How severe is CVE-2005-3120?: CVE-2005-3120 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2005-3120 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 23% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2005-3120?: CVE-2005-3120 primarily affects Debian Debian Linux. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2005-3120?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2005-3120 published?: CVE-2005-3120 was published on 2005-10-17 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:invisible-island:lynx:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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