CVE-2005-0739: The IAPP dissector (packet-iapp.c) for Ethereal 0.9.1 to 0.10.9 does not properly use certain routines for for

Q: How do I fix CVE-2005-0739?

ethereal: upgrade to newer than 0.10.9. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2005-0739 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0739 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2005-0739 affect?

CVE-2005-0739 affects ethereal. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The IAPP dissector (packet-iapp.c) for Ethereal 0.9.1 to 0.10.9 does not properly use certain routines for formatting strings, which could leave it vulnerable to buffer overflows, as demonstrated using modified length values that are not pr

Q: How urgent is CVE-2005-0739?

Priority 51/100. EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2005-0739 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting ethereal. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The IAPP dissector (packet-iapp.c) for Ethereal 0.9.1 to 0.10.9 does not properly use certain routines for formatting strings, which could leave it vulnerable to buffer overflows, as demonstrated using modified length values that are not properly handled by the dissect_pdus and pduval_to_str functions.

Why this priority

EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	7.6% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-189
Published	2005-05-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: ethereal group

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-05-02 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ethereal group ethereal UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.10.9

Fixed in: newer than 0.10.9

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.10.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade ethereal

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ethereal

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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: Ethereal 0.10.9 (Windows) - '3G-A11' Remote Buffer 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-2005-0739?

ethereal: upgrade to newer than 0.10.9. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-0739 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0739 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-2005-0739 affect?

CVE-2005-0739 affects ethereal. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The IAPP dissector (packet-iapp.c) for Ethereal 0.9.1 to 0.10.9 does not properly use certain routines for formatting strings, which could leave it vulnerable to buffer overflows, as demonstrated using modified length values that are not pr

How urgent is CVE-2005-0739?

Priority 51/100. EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

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References

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