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CVE-2005-1976: Novell NetMail 3.5.2a, 3.5.2b, and 3.5.2c, when running on Linux, sets the owner and group ID to 500 for ce...

Novell NetMail 3.5.2a, 3.5.2b, and 3.5.2c, when running on Linux, sets the owner and group ID to 500 for certain files, which could allow users or groups with that ID to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by modifying those files.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's Takeunknown

Analyst readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Novell NetMail on Linux could assign sensitive files to numeric user and group ID 500. If another local user or group has that same ID, they may be able to change those files, potentially disrupting mail service or causing code to run under NetMail’s context.

Executive priority

Treat this as a legacy-system hygiene issue unless affected NetMail servers are still in production. Prioritize inventory first, then remediate any live Linux deployments with risky UID or GID 500 mappings.

Technical view

CVE-2005-1976 affects Novell NetMail 3.5.2a, 3.5.2b, and 3.5.2c on Linux. Certain files are created or installed with owner and group ID 500. Local users or groups mapped to ID 500 could modify those files, creating arbitrary code execution or denial-of-service risk.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to legacy Novell NetMail 3.5.2a, 3.5.2b, or 3.5.2c deployments on Linux, especially where UID or GID 500 belongs to a real local account or group.

Exploitation context

The supplied sources do not show active exploitation, and CISA KEV is false. The issue appears local and configuration-dependent: an attacker needs access through a user or group mapped to numeric ID 500.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse and old. The bundle names affected versions and the flawed ownership behavior but provides no CVSS, CWE, exploit proof, or fixed version details. Avoid assuming remote exploitability or current exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify any Linux hosts still running affected Novell NetMail versions.
  • Check Novell support guidance for vendor-confirmed remediation or upgrade direction.
  • Review UID and GID 500 assignments on affected Linux systems.
  • Remove untrusted users from any group mapped to GID 500.
  • Restrict write access to NetMail files pending vendor remediation.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm NetMail version and operating system on each mail host.
  • Inspect ownership of NetMail files for UID or GID 500 assignments.
  • Map numeric ID 500 to local users and groups.
  • Check whether any non-administrative account can modify NetMail-owned files.
  • Review service logs for unexpected file changes or service disruption.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

Public sources used

Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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CVE-2005-1976 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.