CVE-2005-3481

CVE-2005-3481 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 7% (93rd percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Affected product: Cisco Ios
• Published: 2005-11-03
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Cisco IOS 12.0 to 12.4 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a heap-based buffer overflow in system timers. NOTE: this issue does not correspond to a specific vulnerability, rather a general weakness that only increases the feasibility of exploitation of any vulnerabilities that might exist. Such design-level weaknesses normally are not included in CVE, so perhaps this issue should be REJECTed.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2005-3481?

Cisco IOS 12.0 to 12.4 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a heap-based buffer overflow in system timers. NOTE: this issue does not correspond to a specific vulnerability, rather a general weakness that only increases the feasibility of exploitation of any vulnerabilities that might exist. Such design-level weaknesses normally are not included in CVE, so perhaps this issue should be REJECTed.

How severe is CVE-2005-3481?

CVE-2005-3481 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2005-3481 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 7% (93rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2005-3481?

CVE-2005-3481 primarily affects Cisco Ios. In total, 228 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2005-3481?

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-2005-3481 published?

CVE-2005-3481 was published on 2005-11-03 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://secunia.com/advisories/17413
• http://securitytracker.com/id?1015139
• http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20051102-timers.shtml
• http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/562945
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/15275
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2005/2282
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A4914

Affected products (228)

• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0da:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0db:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0dc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0sc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0sl:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0sp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0st:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0sx:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0sz:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0t:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0w5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0wc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xa:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xb:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xf:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xg:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xi:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xj:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xl:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xm:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xn:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xq:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xr:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xs:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.0xv:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.1aa:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.1ax:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.1ay:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.1az:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.1cx:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.1da:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:12.1db:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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