CVE-2005-3962

CVE-2005-3962 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Perl with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-189.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 4.6)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (69th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-189
• Affected product: Perl
• Published: 2005-12-01
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Integer overflow in the format string functionality (Perl_sv_vcatpvfn) in Perl 5.9.2 and 5.8.6 Perl allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary memory and possibly execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers with large values, which causes an integer wrap and leads to a buffer overflow, as demonstrated using format string vulnerabilities in Perl applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2005-3962?

Integer overflow in the format string functionality (Perl_sv_vcatpvfn) in Perl 5.9.2 and 5.8.6 Perl allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary memory and possibly execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers with large values, which causes an integer wrap and leads to a buffer overflow, as demonstrated using format string vulnerabilities in Perl applications.

How severe is CVE-2005-3962?

CVE-2005-3962 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2005-3962 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (69th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2005-3962?

CVE-2005-3962 primarily affects Perl. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2005-3962?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2005-3962 published?

CVE-2005-3962 was published on 2005-12-01 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• ftp://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/patches/3.7/common/007_perl.patch
• ftp://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/patches/3.8/common/001_perl.patch
• ftp://patches.sgi.com/support/free/security/advisories/20060101-01-U
• http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=001056
• http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304829
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2006/Nov/msg00001.html
• http://marc.info/?l=full-disclosure&m=113342788118630&w=2
• http://secunia.com/advisories/17762
• http://secunia.com/advisories/17802
• http://secunia.com/advisories/17844
• http://secunia.com/advisories/17941
• http://secunia.com/advisories/17952
• http://secunia.com/advisories/17993
• http://secunia.com/advisories/18075
• http://secunia.com/advisories/18183
• http://secunia.com/advisories/18187
• http://secunia.com/advisories/18295
• http://secunia.com/advisories/18413
• http://secunia.com/advisories/18517
• http://secunia.com/advisories/19041
• http://secunia.com/advisories/20894
• http://secunia.com/advisories/23155
• http://secunia.com/advisories/31208
• http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-102192-1
• http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-081.htm
• http://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-943
• http://www.dyadsecurity.com/perl-0002.html
• http://www.gentoo.org/security/en/glsa/glsa-200512-01.xml
• http://www.ipcop.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=41
• http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/948385

Affected products (2)

• cpe:2.3:a:perl:perl:5.8.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:perl:perl:5.9.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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