CVE-2006-6685: Heap-based buffer overflow in Pedro Lineu Orso chetcpasswd 2.3.3 allows local users to cause a denial of servi

Routine

HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-6685 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting chetcpasswd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Heap-based buffer overflow in Pedro Lineu Orso chetcpasswd 2.3.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long REMOTE_ADDR environment variable. NOTE: The provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 64%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2006-12-21
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: pedro lineu orso

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-12-21 19:28 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:33 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pedro lineu orso chetcpasswd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.3.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.3.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison chetcpasswd sudo apt install chetcpasswd=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.3> sudo apt-mark hold chetcpasswd

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

dnf --showduplicates list chetcpasswd sudo dnf downgrade chetcpasswd-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.3> sudo dnf versionlock add chetcpasswd

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-2006-6685?

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

Is CVE-2006-6685 being exploited?

CVE-2006-6685 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-2006-6685 affect?

CVE-2006-6685 affects chetcpasswd. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Heap-based buffer overflow in Pedro Lineu Orso chetcpasswd 2.3.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long REMOTE_ADDR environment variable. NOTE: The provenance of t

How urgent is CVE-2006-6685?

Priority 34/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2006-6684 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Heap-based buffer overflow in Pedro Lineu Orso chetcpasswd before 2.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denia
CVE-2006-6683 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE Pedro Lineu Orso chetcpasswd 2.4.1 and earlier verifies and updates user accounts via custom code that process
CVE-2006-6682 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Pedro Lineu Orso chetcpasswd 2.3.3 provides a different error message when a request with a valid username fai
CVE-2006-6681 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Pedro Lineu Orso chetcpasswd 2.3.3 does not have a rate limit for client requests, which might allow remote at
CVE-2006-6680 MEDIUM 4.6 DOWNGRADE Pedro Lineu Orso chetcpasswd before 2.3.1 does not document the need for 0400 permissions on /etc/chetcpasswd.

References

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