Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2006-5478?

Affected: Edirectory (Novell) versions 8.0, 8.5, 8.5.12a, 8.5.27, 8.6.2, 8.7, 8.7.1, 8.7.1-sp1. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2006-5478 being exploited in the wild?

It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.

Is CVE-2006-5478 in the CISA KEV catalog?

No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2006-5478?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2006-5478?

No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

How urgently should CVE-2006-5478 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2006-5478

HighPublic exploit

Published Oct 24, 2006 · Updated Apr 22, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2006-5478 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v2) affecting Edirectory (Novell).
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 85% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

CVSS v2

7.5

AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

85%

Higher than 99.7% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

No known

Not in a known-exploited catalog

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2006-5478 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Novell eDirectory 8.8.x before 8.8.1 FTF1, and 8.x up to 8.7.3.8, and Novell NetMail before 3.52e FTF2, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long HTTP Host header, which triggers an overflow in the BuildRedirectURL function; or vectors related to a username containing a . (dot) character in the (2) SMTP, (3) POP, (4) IMAP, (5) HTTP, or (6) Networked Messaging Application Protocol (NMAP) Netmail services.

Affected Products

10 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
EdirectoryNovell	8.0, 8.5, 8.5.12a, 8.5.27, 8.6.2, 8.7, 8.7.1, 8.7.1-sp1	n/a

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
Oct 24, 2006
Last updated
Apr 22, 2026

Weakness Type

CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

References

advisoryhttp://www.mnin.org/advisories/2006_novell_httpstk.pdf
advisoryADV-2006-4141
patch22519
patchhttp://support.novell.com/cgi-bin/search/searchtid.cgi?/2974600.htm
exploitMSF edirectory_host.rb

15 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Novell eDirectory 8.8.x before 8.8.1 FTF1, and 8.x up to 8.7.3.8, and Novell NetMail before 3.52e FTF2, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long HTTP Host header, which triggers an overflow in the BuildRedirectURL function; or vectors related to a usernam…
Affected: Edirectory (Novell) versions 8.0, 8.5, 8.5.12a, 8.5.27, 8.6.2, 8.7, 8.7.1, 8.7.1-sp1. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

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