CVE-2005-2180: gen-index in GNATS 4.0, 4.1.0, and possibly earlier versions, when installed setuid, does not properly check f

Routine

LOW 2.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-2180 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting gnats. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

gen-index in GNATS 4.0, 4.1.0, and possibly earlier versions, when installed setuid, does not properly check files passed to the -o argument and opens the file with write access, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-07-11
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gnu

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-07-11 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu gnats DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0 · 4.1.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gnats sudo apt install gnats=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold gnats

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

dnf --showduplicates list gnats sudo dnf downgrade gnats-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add gnats

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-2005-2180?

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

Is CVE-2005-2180 being exploited?

CVE-2005-2180 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-2005-2180 affect?

CVE-2005-2180 affects gnats. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). gen-index in GNATS 4.0, 4.1.0, and possibly earlier versions, when installed setuid, does not properly check files passed to the -o argument and opens the file with write access, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files.

How urgent is CVE-2005-2180?

Priority 14/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2007-2808 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in gnatsweb.pl in Gnatsweb 4.00 and Gnats 4.1.99 allows remote attack
CVE-2004-0623 HIGH 10.0 DOWNGRADE Format string vulnerability in misc.c in GNU GNATS 4.00 may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code v

References

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