MEDIUM
CVE-2005-3657
NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: December 21, 2005· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
5.0
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
The ActiveX control in MCINSCTL.DLL for McAfee VirusScan Security Center does not use the IObjectSafetySiteLock API to restrict access to required domains, which allows remote attackers to create or append to arbitrary files via the StartLog and AddLog methods in the MCINSTALL.McLog object.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2005-3657 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.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityP
AvailabilityNone
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
Affected Vendors & Products
mcafee2 product(s)
mcinsctl.dllvirusscan security center
Source: NVD CPE · 12 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
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Rapid7 / Metasploit
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Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
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Official Patches & Advisories
All References (12)
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2005-3657
CVSS Score5.0 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessNVD-CWE-Other
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedDec 21, 2005
Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2005-3657 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.