CVE-2005-3662: Off-by-one buffer overflow in pnmtopng before 2.39, when using the -alpha command line option (Alphas_Of_Color

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-3662 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting pnmtopng. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Off-by-one buffer overflow in pnmtopng before 2.39, when using the -alpha command line option (Alphas_Of_Color), allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted PNM file with exactly 256 colors.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 51%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2005-11-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: greg roelofs

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

greg roelofs pnmtopng DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.37.3 · 2.37.4 · 2.37.5 · 2.37.6 · 2.38

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.37.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.37.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pnmtopng sudo apt install pnmtopng=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.37.3> sudo apt-mark hold pnmtopng

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

dnf --showduplicates list pnmtopng sudo dnf downgrade pnmtopng-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.37.3> sudo dnf versionlock add pnmtopng

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-2005-3662?

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

Is CVE-2005-3662 being exploited?

CVE-2005-3662 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-2005-3662 affect?

CVE-2005-3662 affects pnmtopng. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Off-by-one buffer overflow in pnmtopng before 2.39, when using the -alpha command line option (Alphas_Of_Color), allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted PNM file with exactly 2

How urgent is CVE-2005-3662?

Priority 28/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

References

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