Is CVE-2012-5975 actively exploited?

A proof-of-concept exploit is publicly available for CVE-2012-5975, but active exploitation has not been confirmed.

Can CVE-2012-5975 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2012-5975 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2012-5975?

CVE-2012-5975 has a CVSS score of 9.3 (CRITICAL).

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CRITICALPOC

CVE-2012-5975

CWE-287Published: December 4, 2012· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

9.3

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The SSH USERAUTH CHANGE REQUEST feature in SSH Tectia Server 6.0.4 through 6.0.20, 6.1.0 through 6.1.12, 6.2.0 through 6.2.5, and 6.3.0 through 6.3.2 on UNIX and Linux, when old-style password authentication is enabled, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a crafted session involving entry of blank passwords, as demonstrated by a root login session from a modified OpenSSH client with an added input_userauth_passwd_changereq call in sshconnect2.c.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2012-5975 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-2012-5975. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-287): Authentication bypass vulnerabilities allow attackers to access protected resources without valid credentials.