CVE-2005-2856
CWE-119Published: September 8, 2005· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Official Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the WinACE UNACEV2.DLL third-party compression utility before 2.6.0.0, as used in multiple products including (1) ALZip 5.51 through 6.11, (2) Servant Salamander 2.0 and 2.5 Beta 1, (3) WinHKI 1.66 and 1.67, (4) ExtractNow 3.x, (5) Total Commander 6.53, (6) Anti-Trojan 5.5.421, (7) PowerArchiver before 9.61, (8) UltimateZip 2.7,1, 3.0.3, and 3.1b, (9) Where Is It (WhereIsIt) 3.73.501, (10) FilZip 3.04, (11) IZArc 3.5 beta3, (12) Eazel 1.0, (13) Rising Antivirus 18.27.21 and earlier, (14) AutoMate 6.1.0.0, (15) BitZipper 4.1 SR-1, (16) ZipTV, and other products, allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename in an ACE archive.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2005-2856 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2005-2856. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.
From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-119): Buffer overflow vulnerabilities can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service by corrupting adjacent memory.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (168)
Quick Facts
Related CVEs (CWE-119)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2005-2856 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts