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01 Record

CVE-2008-4996

init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating

MediumPUBLISHEDCNA: mitre
CNA base score5.5 CVSS v3.xCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

02 Description

init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating

03 Exploitation and scoring

Exploitation
Assessed, none found. CISA's assessment recorded neither public exploit code nor evidence of exploitation when it was made.
SSVC decision
  • ExploitationnoneCISA recorded no public exploit code and no evidence of exploitation.
  • AutomatablenoAt least one step from reconnaissance to exploitation cannot be reliably automated.
  • Technical ImpactpartialSuccessful exploitation gives limited control of the vulnerable component.
CISA publishes the decision points, not a final SSVC decision. The decision also depends on mission and well-being impact, which is a property of your deployment rather than of the vulnerability.
EPSS probability
0.43% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days.
EPSS percentile
Equal to or higher than the score of 37.4% of scored records. A rank, not a probability.
NVD base score
5.5 (CVSS v3.x), scored by the NVD independently of the CNA.
NVD CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
NVD analysis status
Modified. NVD last modified this record on 2026-06-16.
Red Hat severity
No Red Hat rating. Red Hat rates the CVEs that affect its products.

Exploit-prediction scores from FIRST. Independent scoring and analysis status from the NVD. Vendor severity from Red Hat. Exploitation assessment and catalog membership from CISA.

04 Metadata

Published
2008-11-07 19:00Z17 YR AGO
Last updated
2025-01-17 15:24Z1 YR AGO
Reserved
2008-11-07
Assigning CNA
mitre
Record state
PUBLISHED
Severity
Medium (CVSS 5.5)
CNA CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Weaknesses
  • CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')Base
Data version
5.1
Document digest
e770e3ce43da94fe933766757e2d9b772e9e4d596a9a3e08741b125638d7fdaa

05 Affected products

VendorProductVersionsPlatforms
debianinitramfs-toolsNot specified—

06 References

07 Fixed in

Debian 12

  • initramfs-tools
    No fix yet

Source: Debian Security Tracker, the Debian security team. Received through OSV.dev. Reformatted by exploit.cc.

Debian 13

  • initramfs-tools
    No fix yet

Source: Debian Security Tracker, the Debian security team. Received through OSV.dev. Reformatted by exploit.cc.

Debian 14

  • initramfs-tools
    No fix yet

Source: Debian Security Tracker, the Debian security team. Received through OSV.dev. Reformatted by exploit.cc.

A release or ecosystem missing from this list has no record here. It may be unaffected or not covered by the source. Source notices and licences.