What is CVE-2005-2226?

CVE-2005-2226 is a vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook Express. Published 2005-07-12.

Is CVE-2005-2226 known to be exploited?

2 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook Express

CVE-2005-2226

Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 leaks the default news server account when a user responds to a "watched" conversation thread, which could allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information.

Published 2005-07-12 · last modified 2026-06-16.

CVSS v2 metric

CVSS v2 base score 5.0 (Medium). Vector: AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N. This CVE predates CVSS v3 and has no v3 score from NVD.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.134 (96.3th percentile), scored 2026-10-02.

Moderate probability of exploitation in the next 30 days — watch for active exploitation reports. 96th percentile — 96.3% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.134 · newest: 0.134 · change: 0.000

Affected products

Microsoft Outlook Express — versions 6.0

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

www.securityfocus.com/bid/14225 (Patch, vdb-entry)
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/900930 (vendor-advisory, Patch)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2005-2226?: CVE-2005-2226 is a vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook Express. Published 2005-07-12.
Is CVE-2005-2226 known to be exploited?: 2 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.