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CVE-2005-3120

53
FAUCET Score

CVE-2005-3120 describes a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Lynx 2.8.6 and earlier, specifically within the HTrjis function, affecting Debian and Invisible Island Lynx distributions. This vulnerability allows remote NNTP servers to execute arbitrary code by sending crafted article headers containing Asian characters that trigger extra escape character additions. With a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL), it presents a severe risk due to its network-based attack vector, low attack complexity, and complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. While not listed on the KEV catalog and lacking Metasploit/Nuclei modules, a Proof-of-Concept exploit (EDB-1256) exists, and it has garnered significant community discussion, indicating awareness and potential for exploitation.

Impacted Technologies

VendorProductVersion(s)CPE
<= 2.8.6CPE matchmatch criteria
cpe:2.3:a:invisible-island:lynx:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
3.0CPE matchmatch criteria
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
3.1CPE matchmatch criteria
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

CVSS Data

CVSS version used by this source: 3.1

9.8CRITICAL

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
LOW
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality Impact
HIGH
Integrity Impact
HIGH
Availability Impact
HIGH
Exploitability Score
3.9
Impact Score
5.9
CvssVersion
3.1

Exploit Intelligence

EPSS Score
23.26%
Probability of exploitation in next 30 days
EPSS Percentile
97.5%
Percentile rank of EPSS score among Peer Group
As of 2026-07-24
Model: v2026.06.15
ExploitDB: EDB-1256 · Oct 17, 2005
This CVE's current EPSS score of 0.2326 is in the 94th percentile among its peer group of 36,829 CVEs.

Social Chatter

The average CVE in this peer group has 0.0 Twitter, 0.1 Reddit, 0.3 Bluesky, 0.3 Mastodon, and 2.4 GitHub mentions.

Media Mentions

No media coverage found for this CVE.

The average CVE in this peer group has 0.3 InfoSec Media, 0.0 Vendor Blog, and 0.0 Security Researcher mentions.

Remediation

Patch Available

Vendor Patches (2)

redhatpatch availablevia redhat_api
Product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3Fixed in: lynx-0:2.8.5-11.1
View patch
redhatpatch availablevia redhat_api
Product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4Fixed in: lynx-0:2.8.5-18.1
View patch

Vendor Advisories (1)

redhatCVE-2005-3120Critical

CAN-2005-3120 lynx buffer overflow

Oct 17, 2005

References

ftp.sco.com / pub/updates/OpenServer/SCOSA-2006.7/SCOSA-2006.7.txt
Broken Link
ftp.sco.com / pub/updates/UnixWare/SCOSA-2005.47/SCOSA-2005.47.txt
Broken Link
lists.grok.org.uk / pipermail/full-disclosure/2005-October/038019.html
Broken LinkPatchVendor Advisory
lists.trustix.org / pipermail/tsl-announce/2005-October/000354.html
Broken Link
bugzilla.redhat.com / bugzilla/show_bug.cgi
Issue Tracking
secunia.com / advisories/17150
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17216
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17230
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17231
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17238
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17248
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17340
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17360
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17444
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17445
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/17480
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/18376
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/18584
Broken Link
secunia.com / advisories/20383
Broken Link
securitytracker.com / id
Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
slackware.com / security/viewer.php
Broken Link
oval.cisecurity.org / repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9257
Broken Link
support.avaya.com / elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-010.htm
Third Party Advisory
usn.ubuntu.com / 206-1
Broken Link
debian.org / security/2005/dsa-874
Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
debian.org / security/2005/dsa-876
Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
debian.org / security/2006/dsa-1085
Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
gentoo.org / security/en/glsa/glsa-200510-15.xml
Third Party Advisory
mandriva.com / security/advisories
Third Party Advisory
novell.com / linux/security/advisories/2005_25_sr.html
Broken Link
openpkg.org / security/OpenPKG-SA-2005.026-lynx.html
Broken Link
redhat.com / support/errata/RHSA-2005-803.html
Broken LinkVendor Advisory
securityfocus.com / archive/1/419763/100/0/threaded
Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
securityfocus.com / archive/1/435689/30/4740/threaded
Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
securityfocus.com / bid/15117
Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry