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
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.
- 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
06 References
- dev.gentoo.orghttp://dev.gentoo.org/~rbu/security/debiantemp/initramfs-tools
- www.openwall.com[oss-security] 20081030 CVE requests: tempfile issues for aview, mgetty, openoffice, crossfirehttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/30/2
- bugs.gentoo.orghttps://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235770
- bugs.debian.orghttp://bugs.debian.org/496386
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.