CVE-2005-3401: Multiple interpretation error in TheHacker 5.8.4.128 allows remote attackers to bypass virus scanning via a fi

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-3401 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting thehacker. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple interpretation error in TheHacker 5.8.4.128 allows remote attackers to bypass virus scanning via a file such as BAT, HTML, and EML with an "MZ" magic byte sequence which is normally associated with EXE, which causes the file to be treated as a safe type that could still be executed as a dangerous file type by applications on the end system, as demonstrated by a "triple headed" program that contains EXE, EML, and HTML content, aka the "ma

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-11-01
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: thehacker

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-11-01 12:47 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

thehacker thehacker DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.8.4.128

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.8.4.128

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.8.4.128 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison thehacker sudo apt install thehacker=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8.4.128> sudo apt-mark hold thehacker

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

dnf --showduplicates list thehacker sudo dnf downgrade thehacker-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8.4.128> sudo dnf versionlock add thehacker

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-2005-3401?

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

Is CVE-2005-3401 being exploited?

CVE-2005-3401 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-2005-3401 affect?

CVE-2005-3401 affects thehacker. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Multiple interpretation error in TheHacker 5.8.4.128 allows remote attackers to bypass virus scanning via a file such as BAT, HTML, and EML with an "MZ" magic byte sequence which is normally associated with EXE, which causes the file to be

How urgent is CVE-2005-3401?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-3232 MEDIUM 5.1 MITIGATE Multiple interpretation error in unspecified versions of TheHacker allows remote attackers to bypass virus det

References

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