CVE-2005-4831: viewcvs in ViewCVS 0.9.2 allows remote attackers to set the Content-Type header to arbitrary values via the co

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-4831 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting viewcvs. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

viewcvs in ViewCVS 0.9.2 allows remote attackers to set the Content-Type header to arbitrary values via the content-type parameter, which can be leveraged for cross-site scripting (XSS) and other attacks, as demonstrated using (1) "text/html", or (2) "image/jpeg" with an image that is rendered as HTML by Internet Explorer, a different vulnerability than CVE-2004-1062. NOTE: it was later reported that 0.9.4 is also affected.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 34%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: viewcvs

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

viewcvs viewcvs DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.9.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.9.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison viewcvs sudo apt install viewcvs=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.2> sudo apt-mark hold viewcvs

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

dnf --showduplicates list viewcvs sudo dnf downgrade viewcvs-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.2> sudo dnf versionlock add viewcvs

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-2005-4831?

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

Is CVE-2005-4831 being exploited?

CVE-2005-4831 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-2005-4831 affect?

CVE-2005-4831 affects viewcvs. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). viewcvs in ViewCVS 0.9.2 allows remote attackers to set the Content-Type header to arbitrary values via the content-type parameter, which can be leveraged for cross-site scripting (XSS) and other attacks, as demonstrated using (1) "text/htm

How urgent is CVE-2005-4831?

Priority 37/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

Internet Explorer vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-4830 HIGH 7.6 DOWNGRADE CRLF injection vulnerability in viewcvs in ViewCVS 0.9.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTTP head
CVE-2004-1062 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ViewCVS 0.9.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrar
CVE-2004-0915 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Multiple unknown vulnerabilities in viewcvs before 0.9.2, when exporting a repository as a tar archive, does n
CVE-2002-0771 MEDIUM 6.4 DOWNGRADE Cross-site scripting vulnerability in viewcvs.cgi for ViewCVS 0.9.2 allows remote attackers to inject script a

References

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