How severe is CVE-2008-2516?

CVE-2008-2516 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2008-2516 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-2516?

CVE-2008-2516 affects Libpam-pgsql. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-2516?

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

When was CVE-2008-2516 published?

CVE-2008-2516 was published on 2008-06-03 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-2516

CVE-2008-2516 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Libpam-pgsql 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 4.6)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (24th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Libpam-pgsql
Published: 2008-06-03
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

pam_sm_authenticate in pam_pgsql.c in libpam-pgsql 0.6.3 does not properly consider operator precedence when evaluating the success of a pam_get_pass function call, which allows local users to gain privileges via a SIGINT signal when this function is executing, as demonstrated by a CTRL-C sequence at a sudo password prompt in an "auth sufficient pam_pgsql.so" configuration.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-2516?: pam_sm_authenticate in pam_pgsql.c in libpam-pgsql 0.6.3 does not properly consider operator precedence when evaluating the success of a pam_get_pass function call, which allows local users to gain privileges via a SIGINT signal when this function is executing, as demonstrated by a CTRL-C sequence at a sudo password prompt in an "auth sufficient pam_pgsql.so" configuration.
How severe is CVE-2008-2516?: CVE-2008-2516 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2008-2516 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-2516?: CVE-2008-2516 affects Libpam-pgsql. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-2516?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2008-2516 published?: CVE-2008-2516 was published on 2008-06-03 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:libpam-pgsql:libpam-pgsql:0.6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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