CVE-2008-5138
6.9 · MEDIUMpasswdehd in libpam-mount 0.43 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/passwdehd.##### temporary file.
Overview
CVE-2008-5138 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting bkleineidam libpam_mount. It was published on November 18, 2008 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9 (MEDIUM).
This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.
Technical description
passwdehd in libpam-mount 0.43 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/passwdehd.##### temporary file.
Remediation
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from bkleineidam. Update libpam_mount to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status |
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References
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Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2008-5138?
CVE-2008-5138 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting bkleineidam libpam_mount. It was published on November 18, 2008 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9 (MEDIUM).
How severe is CVE-2008-5138?
This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.
How do I fix or remediate CVE-2008-5138?
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from bkleineidam. Update libpam_mount to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2008-5138?
CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2008-5138 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.
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