CVE-2005-3538: hfaxd in HylaFAX 4.2.3, when PAM support is disabled, accepts arbitrary passwords, which allows remote attacke

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HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-3538 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting hylafax. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

hfaxd in HylaFAX 4.2.3, when PAM support is disabled, accepts arbitrary passwords, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.5% (top 15%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: ifax solutions

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ifax solutions hylafax DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.2.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.2.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.2.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison hylafax sudo apt install hylafax=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.2.3> sudo apt-mark hold hylafax

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

dnf --showduplicates list hylafax sudo dnf downgrade hylafax-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.2.3> sudo dnf versionlock add hylafax

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-2005-3538?

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

Is CVE-2005-3538 being exploited?

CVE-2005-3538 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-2005-3538 affect?

CVE-2005-3538 affects hylafax. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). hfaxd in HylaFAX 4.2.3, when PAM support is disabled, accepts arbitrary passwords, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.

How urgent is CVE-2005-3538?

Priority 52/100. High severity; On your watchlist

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References

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