How severe is CVE-2011-3478?

CVE-2011-3478 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2011-3478 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 39% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2011-3478?

CVE-2011-3478 primarily affects Symantec Pcanywhere. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2011-3478?

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-2011-3478 published?

CVE-2011-3478 was published on 2012-01-25 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2011-3478

CVE-2011-3478 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Symantec Pcanywhere with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 39% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 39% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Symantec Pcanywhere
Published: 2012-01-25
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The host-services component in Symantec pcAnywhere 12.5.x through 12.5.3, and IT Management Suite pcAnywhere Solution 7.0 (aka 12.5.x) and 7.1 (aka 12.6.x), does not properly filter login and authentication data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted session on TCP port 5631.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2011-3478?: The host-services component in Symantec pcAnywhere 12.5.x through 12.5.3, and IT Management Suite pcAnywhere Solution 7.0 (aka 12.5.x) and 7.1 (aka 12.6.x), does not properly filter login and authentication data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted session on TCP port 5631.
How severe is CVE-2011-3478?: CVE-2011-3478 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2011-3478 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 39% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2011-3478?: CVE-2011-3478 primarily affects Symantec Pcanywhere. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2011-3478?: 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-2011-3478 published?: CVE-2011-3478 was published on 2012-01-25 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:a:symantec:pcanywhere:12.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:pcanywhere:12.5:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:pcanywhere:12.5:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:pcanywhere:12.5:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:pcanywhere:12.5.539:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:pcanywhere:12.6.65:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:pcanywhere:12.6.65:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:pcanywhere:12.6.7580:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Symantec Pcanywhere

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CVE-2006-3784 — High (CVSS 7.2): Symantec pcAnywhere 12.5 uses weak default permissions for the "Symantec\pcAnywhere\Hosts" folder, which allows local…
CVE-2005-1970 — High (CVSS 7.2): Symantec pcAnywhere 10.5x and 11.x before 11.5, with "Launch with Windows" enabled, allows local users with physical…
CVE-2003-0936 — High (CVSS 7.2): Symantec PCAnywhere 10.x and 11, when started as a service, allows attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges via the help…

All CVEs affecting Symantec Pcanywhere →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2026-19977 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability was detected in EFM ipTIME A3004T 14.19.0. The affected element is the function…
CVE-2026-59500 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): CWE-287: Improper Authentication
CVE-2024-27253 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): IBM DOORS Next 7.0.3 through 7.0.3 Interim Fix 018 could allow an authenticated user to bypass security logic to…
CVE-2026-56162 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure SQL Database allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-62825 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Key Vault allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →