CVE-2005-2940: Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Microsoft Antispyware 1.0.509 (Beta 1) might allow local users t

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HIGH 7.2WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-2940 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting antispyware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Microsoft Antispyware 1.0.509 (Beta 1) might allow local users to gain privileges via a malicious "program.exe" file in the C: folder, involving the programs (1) GIANTAntiSpywareMain.exe, (2) gcASNotice.exe, (3) gcasServ.exe, (4) gcasSWUpdater.exe, or (5) GIANTAntiSpywareUpdater.exe. NOTE: it is not clear whether this overlaps CVE-2005-2935.

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	2.3% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-11-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: microsoft

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-11-18 06:03 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:15 UTCUpdated Record last modified

microsoft antispyware DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.509

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.509

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.509 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison antispyware sudo apt install antispyware=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.509> sudo apt-mark hold antispyware

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

dnf --showduplicates list antispyware sudo dnf downgrade antispyware-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.509> sudo dnf versionlock add antispyware

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-2005-2940?

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

Is CVE-2005-2940 being exploited?

CVE-2005-2940 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-2005-2940 affect?

CVE-2005-2940 affects antispyware. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Microsoft Antispyware 1.0.509 (Beta 1) might allow local users to gain privileges via a malicious "program.exe" file in the C: folder, involving the programs (1) GIANTAntiSpywareMain.exe, (2) gc

How urgent is CVE-2005-2940?

Priority 51/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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CVE-2006-3961 MEDIUM 6.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in McSubMgr ActiveX control (mcsubmgr.dll) in McAfee Security Center 6.0.23 for Internet Secur
CVE-2005-2935 MEDIUM 4.6 MITIGATE Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Microsoft AntiSpyware might allow local users to execute code vi

References

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