CVE-2005-2496: The xntpd ntp (ntpd) daemon before 4.2.0b, when run with the -u option and using a string to specify the group

Q: How do I fix CVE-2005-2496?

ntpd: upgrade to newer than 4.2.0.a.2004-06-17_4.fc3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2005-2496 being exploited?

CVE-2005-2496 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-2005-2496 affect?

CVE-2005-2496 affects ntpd. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). The xntpd ntp (ntpd) daemon before 4.2.0b, when run with the -u option and using a string to specify the group, uses the group ID of the user instead of the group, which causes xntpd to run with different privileges than intended.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2005-2496?

Priority 26/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6UPGRADE

CVE-2005-2496 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting ntpd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The xntpd ntp (ntpd) daemon before 4.2.0b, when run with the -u option and using a string to specify the group, uses the group ID of the user instead of the group, which causes xntpd to run with different privileges than intended.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 61%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-09-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: dave mills

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-09-02 17:03 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:15 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dave mills ntpd UPGRADE

Affected: <= 4.2.0.a.2004-06-17_4.fc3

Fixed in: newer than 4.2.0.a.2004-06-17_4.fc3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 4.2.0.a.2004-06-17_4.fc3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ntpd

Note

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

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-2005-2496?

ntpd: upgrade to newer than 4.2.0.a.2004-06-17_4.fc3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-2496 being exploited?

CVE-2005-2496 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-2005-2496 affect?

CVE-2005-2496 affects ntpd. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). The xntpd ntp (ntpd) daemon before 4.2.0b, when run with the -u option and using a string to specify the group, uses the group ID of the user instead of the group, which causes xntpd to run with different privileges than intended.

How urgent is CVE-2005-2496?

Priority 26/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2001-0414 HIGH 10.0 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in ntpd ntp daemon 4.0.99k and earlier (aka xntpd and xntp3) allows remote attackers to cause

References

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