CVE-2006-4537: NET$SESSION_CONTROL.EXE in DECnet-Plus in OpenVMS ALPHA 7.3-2 and Alpha 8.2 writes a password to an audit log

Routine

LOW 2.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-4537 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting dec openvms alpha. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

NET$SESSION_CONTROL.EXE in DECnet-Plus in OpenVMS ALPHA 7.3-2 and Alpha 8.2 writes a password to an audit log file when there is a successful connection after a "network breakin" event, which allows local users to obtain passwords by reading the file.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200
Published	2006-09-05
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: dec

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-09-05 18:04 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:29 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dec dec openvms alpha DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.3.2 · 8.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.3.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy dec-openvms-alpha || rpm -q dec-openvms-alpha || dec-openvms-alpha --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.3.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison dec-openvms-alpha sudo apt install dec-openvms-alpha=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3.2> sudo apt-mark hold dec-openvms-alpha

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

dnf --showduplicates list dec-openvms-alpha sudo dnf downgrade dec-openvms-alpha-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3.2> sudo dnf versionlock add dec-openvms-alpha

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-2006-4537?

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

Is CVE-2006-4537 being exploited?

CVE-2006-4537 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-2006-4537 affect?

CVE-2006-4537 affects dec openvms alpha. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). NET$SESSION_CONTROL.EXE in DECnet-Plus in OpenVMS ALPHA 7.3-2 and Alpha 8.2 writes a password to an audit log file when there is a successful connection after a "network breakin" event, which allows local users to obtain passwords by readin

How urgent is CVE-2006-4537?

Priority 20/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2001-0845 MEDIUM 4.6 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Vulnerability in DECwindows Motif Server on OpenVMS VAX or Alpha 6.2 through 7.3, and SEVMS VAX or Alpha 6.2,

References

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