CVE-2004-2286: Integer overflow in the duplication operator in ActivePerl allows remote attackers to cause a denial of servic

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-2286 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting activeperl, perl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Integer overflow in the duplication operator in ActivePerl allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large multiplier, which may trigger a buffer overflow.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	8.0% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: activestate · larry wall

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

activestate activeperl DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.6.1 · 5.6.1.630 · 5.6.2 · 5.6.3 · 5.7.1 · 5.7.2 · 5.7.3 · 5.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.6.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy activeperl || rpm -q activeperl || activeperl --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.6.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison activeperl sudo apt install activeperl=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.6.1> sudo apt-mark hold activeperl

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list activeperl sudo dnf downgrade activeperl-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.6.1> sudo dnf versionlock add activeperl

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

larry wall perl DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.3 · 5.4 · 5.4.5 · 5.5 · 5.5.3 · 5.6 · 5.6.1 · 5.8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy perl || rpm -q perl || perl --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison perl sudo apt install perl=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.3> sudo apt-mark hold perl

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list perl sudo dnf downgrade perl-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.3> sudo dnf versionlock add perl

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: ActivePerl 5.x / Larry Wall Perl 5.x - Duplication Operator Integer Overflow

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2004-2286?

activeperl: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; perl: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-2286 being exploited?

CVE-2004-2286 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2004-2286 affect?

CVE-2004-2286 affects activeperl, perl. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Integer overflow in the duplication operator in ActivePerl allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large multiplier, which may trigger a buffer overflow.

How urgent is CVE-2004-2286?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Perl vulnerabilities

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References

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