CVE-2006-3401: Stack-based buffer overflow in Quake 3 Engine as used by Quake 3: Arena 1.32b and 1.32c allows remote attacker

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-3401 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting quake 3 engine. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Stack-based buffer overflow in Quake 3 Engine as used by Quake 3: Arena 1.32b and 1.32c allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute code via long CS_ITEMS values.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.7% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2006-07-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: id software

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-07-06 20:05 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:26 UTCUpdated Record last modified

id software quake 3 engine DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.32b · 1.32c · icculus_812

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.32b

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy quake-3-engine || rpm -q quake-3-engine || quake-3-engine --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.32b (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison quake-3-engine sudo apt install quake-3-engine=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.32b> sudo apt-mark hold quake-3-engine

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

dnf --showduplicates list quake-3-engine sudo dnf downgrade quake-3-engine-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.32b> sudo dnf versionlock add quake-3-engine

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: Quake 3 Engine Client (Windows x86) - CS_ITEms Remote 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-2006-3401?

quake 3 engine: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2006-3401 being exploited?

CVE-2006-3401 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-2006-3401 affect?

CVE-2006-3401 affects quake 3 engine. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Stack-based buffer overflow in Quake 3 Engine as used by Quake 3: Arena 1.32b and 1.32c allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute code via long CS_ITEMS values.

How urgent is CVE-2006-3401?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

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CVE-2006-3325 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE client/cl_parse.c in the id3 Quake 3 Engine 1.32c and the Icculus Quake 3 Engine (ioquake3) revision 810 and e
CVE-2006-3324 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The Automatic Downloading option in the id3 Quake 3 Engine and the Icculus Quake 3 Engine (ioquake3) before re
CVE-2006-2875 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Stack-based buffer overflow in the CL_ParseDownload function of Quake 3 Engine 1.32c and earlier, as used in m
CVE-2006-2236 HIGH 7.6 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in the Quake 3 Engine, as used by (1) ET 2.60, (2) Return to Castle Wolfenstein 1.41, and (3)

References

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