How severe is CVE-2008-4971?

CVE-2008-4971 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2008-4971 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-4971?

CVE-2008-4971 affects Align.bmr.kyushu-u.ac Mafft. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-4971?

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

When was CVE-2008-4971 published?

CVE-2008-4971 was published on 2008-11-06 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-4971

CVE-2008-4971 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Align.bmr.kyushu-u.ac Mafft with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9. 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 6.9)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (31st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Align.bmr.kyushu-u.ac Mafft
Published: 2008-11-06
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

mafft-homologs in mafft 6.240 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) /tmp/_vf#?????, (2) /tmp/_if#?????, (3) /tmp/_pf#?????, (4) /tmp/_af#?????, (5) /tmp/_rid#?????, (6) /tmp/_res#?????, (7) /tmp/_q#?????, and (8) /tmp/_bf#????? temporary files.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-4971?: mafft-homologs in mafft 6.240 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) /tmp/_vf#?????, (2) /tmp/_if#?????, (3) /tmp/_pf#?????, (4) /tmp/_af#?????, (5) /tmp/_rid#?????, (6) /tmp/_res#?????, (7) /tmp/_q#?????, and (8) /tmp/_bf#????? temporary files.
How severe is CVE-2008-4971?: CVE-2008-4971 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2008-4971 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-4971?: CVE-2008-4971 affects Align.bmr.kyushu-u.ac Mafft. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-4971?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2008-4971 published?: CVE-2008-4971 was published on 2008-11-06 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:align.bmr.kyushu-u.ac:mafft:6.240:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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