How severe is CVE-2008-4085?

CVE-2008-4085 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.4, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2008-4085 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (23rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-4085?

CVE-2008-4085 primarily affects Stephenjungels Plait. In total, 20 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-4085?

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

When was CVE-2008-4085 published?

CVE-2008-4085 was published on 2008-09-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-4085

CVE-2008-4085 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Stephenjungels Plait with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.4. 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 4.4)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (23rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Stephenjungels Plait
Published: 2008-09-15
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

plaiter in Plait before 1.6 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) cut.$$, (2) head.$$, (3) awk.$$, and (4) ps.$$ temporary files in /tmp/.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-4085?: plaiter in Plait before 1.6 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) cut.$$, (2) head.$$, (3) awk.$$, and (4) ps.$$ temporary files in /tmp/.
How severe is CVE-2008-4085?: CVE-2008-4085 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.4, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2008-4085 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (23rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-4085?: CVE-2008-4085 primarily affects Stephenjungels Plait. In total, 20 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-4085?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2008-4085 published?: CVE-2008-4085 was published on 2008-09-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (20)

cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.50:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.51:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.52:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.53:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.54:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.55:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.55.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.55.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:0.99:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:stephenjungels:plait:1.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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