CVE-2005-0020: Buffer overflow in playmidi before 2.4 allows local users to execute arbitrary code.

This month

HIGH 7.2WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2005-0020 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting playmidi, mandrake linux, mandrake linux corporate server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in playmidi before 2.4 allows local users to execute arbitrary code.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 56%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-04-14
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mandrakesoft · playmidi

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-04-14 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

playmidi playmidi DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.3.1 · 2.3.2 · 2.3.3 · 2.3.4 · 2.3.5 · 2.3.6 · 2.3.7 · 2.3.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison playmidi sudo apt install playmidi=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.1> sudo apt-mark hold playmidi

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

dnf --showduplicates list playmidi sudo dnf downgrade playmidi-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.1> sudo dnf versionlock add playmidi

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.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0 · 10.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux corporate server MITIGATE

Affected: 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2005-0020?

playmidi: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; mandrake linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mandrake linux corporate server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-0020 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0020 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-2005-0020 affect?

CVE-2005-0020 affects playmidi, mandrake linux, mandrake linux corporate server. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Buffer overflow in playmidi before 2.4 allows local users to execute arbitrary code.

How urgent is CVE-2005-0020?

Priority 41/100. High severity; On your watchlist

References

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