CVE-2005-4681: Buffer overflow in mIRC 5.91, 6.03, 6.12, and 6.16 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long str

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-4681 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting mirc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in mIRC 5.91, 6.03, 6.12, and 6.16 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long string that is entered after reaching the DCC Get Folder Dialog. NOTE: this issue has been disputed by the vendor, saying "as far as I can tell, this is neither an exploit nor a vulnerability. The above report describes a local bug in mIRC." It could be that this is only exploitable by the user of the application, and thus would not cross

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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
Published	2005-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: khaled mardam-bey

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 22:19 UTCUpdated Record last modified

khaled mardam-bey mirc DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.91 · 6.03 · 6.12 · 6.16

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.91

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.91 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mirc sudo apt install mirc=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.91> sudo apt-mark hold mirc

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

dnf --showduplicates list mirc sudo dnf downgrade mirc-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.91> sudo dnf versionlock add mirc

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-2005-4681?

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

Is CVE-2005-4681 being exploited?

CVE-2005-4681 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-2005-4681 affect?

CVE-2005-4681 affects mirc. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Buffer overflow in mIRC 5.91, 6.03, 6.12, and 6.16 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long string that is entered after reaching the DCC Get Folder Dialog. NOTE: this issue has been disputed by the vendor, saying "as far as

How urgent is CVE-2005-4681?

Priority 33/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-6453 HIGH 8.1 UPGRADE mIRC before 7.55 allows remote command execution by using argument injection through custom URI protocol handl
CVE-2011-5282 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE mIRC prior to 7.22 has a message leak because chopping of outbound messages is mishandled.
CVE-2008-7314 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE mIRC before 6.35 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long nickname.
CVE-2008-4449 HIGH 9.3 DOWNGRADE Stack-based buffer overflow in mIRC 6.34 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long hostname
CVE-2007-4402 MEDIUM 6.8 DOWNGRADE Multiple unspecified scripts in mIRC allow user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the '|

References

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