CVE-2005-3531: fusermount in FUSE before 2.4.1, if installed setuid root, allows local users to corrupt /etc/mtab and possibl

Routine

LOW 2.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-3531 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting fuse. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

fusermount in FUSE before 2.4.1, if installed setuid root, allows local users to corrupt /etc/mtab and possibly modify mount options by performing a mount over a directory whose name contains certain special characters.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 70%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-11-23
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: miklos szeredi

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-11-23 00:03 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

miklos szeredi fuse DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.2 · 2.2.1 · 2.3.0 · 2.3_rc1 · 2.4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison fuse sudo apt install fuse=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2> sudo apt-mark hold fuse

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

dnf --showduplicates list fuse sudo dnf downgrade fuse-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2> sudo dnf versionlock add fuse

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-2005-3531?

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

Is CVE-2005-3531 being exploited?

CVE-2005-3531 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-2005-3531 affect?

CVE-2005-3531 affects fuse. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). fusermount in FUSE before 2.4.1, if installed setuid root, allows local users to corrupt /etc/mtab and possibly modify mount options by performing a mount over a directory whose name contains certain special characters.

How urgent is CVE-2005-3531?

Priority 20/100. On your watchlist

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References

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