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CVE-2005-2920: Buffer overflow in libclamav/upx.c in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) before 0.87 allows remote attackers to execut...

Buffer overflow in libclamav/upx.c in Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) before 0.87 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted UPX packed executable.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's Takehigh

Analyst readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2005-2920 is an old ClamAV vulnerability where scanning a maliciously crafted UPX-packed executable could crash the scanner or allow code execution. Business risk is concentrated in legacy mail gateways, file-upload scanners, and appliances still running ClamAV before 0.87.

Executive priority

Handle as a legacy exposure cleanup item unless confirmed present on active scanning infrastructure. If pre-0.87 ClamAV is found on mail or upload paths, patch or remove it urgently.

Technical view

The issue is a buffer overflow in libclamav/upx.c in ClamAV before 0.87. A crafted UPX-packed executable can trigger memory corruption during antivirus parsing, with reported arbitrary code execution impact. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, or detailed affected package ranges beyond pre-0.87 ClamAV.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to legacy systems, unsupported distributions, embedded products, or appliances that still include ClamAV before 0.87 and scan untrusted executables or email attachments.

Exploitation context

The provided sources describe remote attacker impact via crafted files, but the bundle does not cite active exploitation. CISA KEV status is false, so treat exploitation as plausible historically but not confirmed active from these sources.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a parser memory-safety flaw in ClamAV UPX handling before 0.87. The bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, exploit availability detail, and precise distribution package versions, so validation should rely on installed package metadata and vendor advisories.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade ClamAV to 0.87 or later, or the vendor-patched distribution package.
  • Prioritize internet-facing mail gateways and file-upload scanning services.
  • Check Debian, Gentoo, SUSE, or appliance vendor advisories for package-specific fixes.
  • Retire or isolate unsupported systems that cannot receive ClamAV updates.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory ClamAV versions across servers, containers, and security appliances.
  • Confirm package fixes against vendor advisories such as DSA-824, GLSA-200509-13, and SUSE-SA:2005:055.
  • Identify workflows scanning untrusted UPX-packed executables or email attachments.
  • Review historical scanner crash logs where legacy ClamAV remains deployed.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

Public sources used

Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2005-2920 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
12Source 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.