Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2011-3478?

Affected: Pcanywhere (Symantec) versions 12.5, 12.5.539, 12.5-sp1, 12.5-sp2, 12.5-sp3, 12.6.65, 12.6.65-sp1, 12.6.7580. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2011-3478 being exploited in the wild?

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

Is CVE-2011-3478 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-2011-3478?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2011-3478?

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

How urgently should CVE-2011-3478 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

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WatchlistCritical

CVE-2011-3478Pcanywhere Authentication Bypass

The host-services component in Symantec pcAnywhere 12.5.x through 12.5.3, and IT Management Suite pcAnywhere Solution 7.0 (aka 12.5.x) and 7.1 (aka 12.6.x), does not properly filter login and authentication data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a…

Published Jan 25, 2012 · Updated Apr 28, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2011-3478 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 10.0 v2) affecting Pcanywhere (Symantec).
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 40% 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 public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

Scores

CVSS v2

10.0

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

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

40%

Higher than 98.5% of all scored CVEs

Exploit maturity

Proof of concept

ATLAS score

44/100

Publication score, see How it works

Exploitation Verdict

KEV listed

Not listed

Federal due date

None

No federal due date

Ransomware use

Not reported

Attributed actors

None named

Exploit & Defence Guidance

Exploit maturity

Proof of concept

Public exploit code

Proof-of-concept links

In-the-wild evidence

Reports of active use

Advisories And Exploit References

advisoryhttp://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=2012&suid=20120124_00

Description

Affected Products

8 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
PcanywhereSymantec	12.5, 12.5.539, 12.5-sp1, 12.5-sp2, 12.5-sp3, 12.6.65, 12.6.65-sp1, 12.6.7580	n/a

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
Jan 25, 2012
Last updated
Apr 28, 2026

Weakness Type

CWE-287 Improper Authentication

References

3 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

The host-services component in Symantec pcAnywhere 12.5.x through 12.5.3, and IT Management Suite pcAnywhere Solution 7.0 (aka 12.5.x) and 7.1 (aka 12.6.x), does not properly filter login and authentication data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted session on TCP port 5631.
Affected: Pcanywhere (Symantec) versions 12.5, 12.5.539, 12.5-sp1, 12.5-sp2, 12.5-sp3, 12.6.65, 12.6.65-sp1, 12.6.7580. 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 public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

Is CVE-2011-3478 On Your Attack Surface?

Brandefense matches it against the products discovered on your perimeter and opens a finding the day a CVE like this is listed.