CVE-2008-4996

5.5 MEDIUM
Published: November 07, 2008 Modified: April 23, 2026
View on NVD

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 that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable.

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CVSS v3.x Details

0.0 Low Medium High Critical 10.0
Vector String
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Patch Vendor Advisory Exploit Third Party Advisory
http://bugs.debian.org/496386
Source: cve@mitre.org
http://bugs.debian.org/496386
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
http://dev.gentoo.org/~rbu/security/debiantemp/initramfs-tools
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Exploit
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/30/2
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235770
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108

8 reference(s) from NVD

Quick Stats

CVSS v3 Score
5.5 / 10.0
EPSS (Exploit Probability)
0.1%
29th percentile
Exploitation Status
Not in CISA KEV

Weaknesses (CWE)

Affected Vendors

debian