CVE-2006-5650: The ICQPhone.SipxPhoneManager ActiveX control in America Online ICQ 5.1 allows remote attackers to download an

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-5650 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting icq. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The ICQPhone.SipxPhoneManager ActiveX control in America Online ICQ 5.1 allows remote attackers to download and execute arbitrary code via the DownloadAgent function, as demonstrated using an ICQ avatar.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: 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	67.2% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2006-11-07
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: aol

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-11-07 19:07 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:31 UTCUpdated Record last modified

aol icq DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison icq sudo apt install icq=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.1> sudo apt-mark hold icq

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

dnf --showduplicates list icq sudo dnf downgrade icq-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.1> sudo dnf versionlock add icq

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: America Online ICQ - ActiveX Control Arbitrary File Download and Execute (Metasploit)
Exploit-DB: America Online ICQ 5.1 - ActiveX Control Remote Code Execution
Metasploit: America Online ICQ ActiveX Control Arbitrary File Download and Execute

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-2006-5650?

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

Is CVE-2006-5650 being exploited?

CVE-2006-5650 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-2006-5650 affect?

CVE-2006-5650 affects icq. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The ICQPhone.SipxPhoneManager ActiveX control in America Online ICQ 5.1 allows remote attackers to download and execute arbitrary code via the DownloadAgent function, as demonstrated using an ICQ avatar.

How urgent is CVE-2006-5650?

Priority 56/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

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References

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