CVE-2008-0525

CVE-2008-0525 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Lumension Security Patchlink Update with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 4.6)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (39th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-59
• Affected product: Lumension Security Patchlink Update
• Published: 2008-01-31
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

PatchLink Update client for Unix, as used by Novell ZENworks Patch Management Update Agent for Linux/Unix/Mac (LUM) 6.2094 through 6.4102 and other products, allows local users to (1) truncate arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/patchlink.tmp file used by the logtrimmer script, and (2) execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on the /tmp/plshutdown file used by the rebootTask script.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-0525?

PatchLink Update client for Unix, as used by Novell ZENworks Patch Management Update Agent for Linux/Unix/Mac (LUM) 6.2094 through 6.4102 and other products, allows local users to (1) truncate arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/patchlink.tmp file used by the logtrimmer script, and (2) execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on the /tmp/plshutdown file used by the rebootTask script.

How severe is CVE-2008-0525?

CVE-2008-0525 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2008-0525 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-0525?

CVE-2008-0525 primarily affects Lumension Security Patchlink Update. In total, 18 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-0525?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2008-0525 published?

CVE-2008-0525 was published on 2008-01-31 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://secunia.com/advisories/28657
• http://secunia.com/advisories/28665
• http://securityreason.com/securityalert/3599
• http://support.lumension.com/scripts/rightnow.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=527
• http://support.lumension.com/scripts/rightnow.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=528
• http://support.lumension.com/scripts/rightnow.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=530
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/487103/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/27458
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1019272
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0426
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/39956
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/39958
• https://secure-support.novell.com/KanisaPlatform/Publishing/18/3908994_f.SAL_Public.html

Affected products (18)

• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.2:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.2:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.2:*:unix:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.3:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.3:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.3:*:unix:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.4:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.4:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.4:*:unix:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.2:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.2:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.2:*:unix:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.3:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.3:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.3:*:unix:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.4:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.4:*:mac:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.4:*:unix:*:*:*:*:*

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