CVE-2012-5377: Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installation functionality in ActivePerl 5.16.1.1601, when installe

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MEDIUM 6.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2012-5377 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.0) affecting activeperl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installation functionality in ActivePerl 5.16.1.1601, when installed in the top-level C:\ directory, allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the C:\Perl\Site\bin directory, which is added to the PATH system environment variable, as demonstrated by a Trojan horse wlbsctrl.dll file used by the "IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules" system service in Windows Vista SP1, Windows Server

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 30%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2012-10-11
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: activestate

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-10-11 10:51 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

activestate activeperl DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.16.1.1601

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.16.1.1601

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.16.1.1601 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison activeperl sudo apt install activeperl=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.16.1.1601> sudo apt-mark hold activeperl

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

dnf --showduplicates list activeperl sudo dnf downgrade activeperl-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.16.1.1601> sudo dnf versionlock add activeperl

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: IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keyring Modules Service (IKEEXT) - Missing DLL (Metasploit)

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-2012-5377?

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

Is CVE-2012-5377 being exploited?

CVE-2012-5377 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-2012-5377 affect?

CVE-2012-5377 affects activeperl. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.0). Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installation functionality in ActivePerl 5.16.1.1601, when installed in the top-level C:\ directory, allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the C:\Perl\Site\bin directory,

How urgent is CVE-2012-5377?

Priority 43/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · Windows Server vulnerabilities · Perl vulnerabilities

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References

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