CVE-2006-0331: Buffer overflow in Change passwd 3.1 (chpasswd) SquirrelMail plugin allows local users to execute arbitrary co

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-0331 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting change passwd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in Change passwd 3.1 (chpasswd) SquirrelMail plugin allows local users to execute arbitrary code via long command line arguments.

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	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2006-01-21
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: thiago melo de paula

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-01-21 00:03 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

thiago melo de paula change passwd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy change-passwd || rpm -q change-passwd || change-passwd --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison change-passwd sudo apt install change-passwd=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1> sudo apt-mark hold change-passwd

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

dnf --showduplicates list change-passwd sudo dnf downgrade change-passwd-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1> sudo dnf versionlock add change-passwd

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: SquirrelMail 3.1 - Change Passwd Plugin Local Buffer Overflow

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-2006-0331?

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

Is CVE-2006-0331 being exploited?

CVE-2006-0331 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-2006-0331 affect?

CVE-2006-0331 affects change passwd. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Buffer overflow in Change passwd 3.1 (chpasswd) SquirrelMail plugin allows local users to execute arbitrary code via long command line arguments.

How urgent is CVE-2006-0331?

Priority 35/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2012-5623 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Squirrelmail 4.0 uses the outdated MD5 hash algorithm for passwords.

References

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