CVE-2005-1142: Heap-based buffer overflow in the readpgm function in pnm.c for GOCR 0.40, when it is not using netpbm, allows

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-1142 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting optical character recognition utility. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Heap-based buffer overflow in the readpgm function in pnm.c for GOCR 0.40, when it is not using netpbm, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a P3 format PNM file with more data than implied by its width and height values.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	3.1% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-04-15
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gocr

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-04-15 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:12 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gocr optical character recognition utility DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.3.2 · 0.3.4 · 0.37 · 0.39 · 0.40

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.3.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy optical-character-recognition-utility || rpm -q optical-character-recognition-utility || optical-character-recognition-utility --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.3.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison optical-character-recognition-utility sudo apt install optical-character-recognition-utility=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.3.2> sudo apt-mark hold optical-character-recognition-utility

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

dnf --showduplicates list optical-character-recognition-utility sudo dnf downgrade optical-character-recognition-utility-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.3.2> sudo dnf versionlock add optical-character-recognition-utility

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.

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-2005-1142?

optical character recognition utility: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-1142 being exploited?

CVE-2005-1142 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-2005-1142 affect?

CVE-2005-1142 affects optical character recognition utility. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Heap-based buffer overflow in the readpgm function in pnm.c for GOCR 0.40, when it is not using netpbm, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a P3 format PNM file with more data than implied by its width and height values.

How urgent is CVE-2005-1142?

Priority 53/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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