CVE-2006-6959: WebRoot Spy Sweeper 4.5.9 and earlier allows local users to bypass the "Startup-Shield" security restrictions

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-6959 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting spy sweeper. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

WebRoot Spy Sweeper 4.5.9 and earlier allows local users to bypass the "Startup-Shield" security restrictions by modifying certain registry keys.

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	0.4% (top 62%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2007-01-29
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: webroot software

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2007-01-29 16:28 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:34 UTCUpdated Record last modified

webroot software spy sweeper DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.5.9

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.5.9

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy spy-sweeper || rpm -q spy-sweeper || spy-sweeper --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.5.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison spy-sweeper sudo apt install spy-sweeper=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.5.9> sudo apt-mark hold spy-sweeper

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

dnf --showduplicates list spy-sweeper sudo dnf downgrade spy-sweeper-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.5.9> sudo dnf versionlock add spy-sweeper

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-2006-6959?

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

Is CVE-2006-6959 being exploited?

CVE-2006-6959 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-2006-6959 affect?

CVE-2006-6959 affects spy sweeper. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). WebRoot Spy Sweeper 4.5.9 and earlier allows local users to bypass the "Startup-Shield" security restrictions by modifying certain registry keys.

How urgent is CVE-2006-6959?

Priority 31/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2006-6961 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE WebRoot Spy Sweeper 4.5.9 and earlier does not detect malware based on file contents, which allows remote atta
CVE-2006-6960 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE The Compression Sweep feature in WebRoot Spy Sweeper 4.5.9 and earlier does not handle non-ZIP archives, which

References

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