How severe is CVE-2008-5188?

CVE-2008-5188 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-5188 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-2008-5188?

CVE-2008-5188 primarily affects Ecryptfs Ecryptfs Utils. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-5188?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2008-5188 published?

CVE-2008-5188 was published on 2008-11-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-5188

CVE-2008-5188 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ecryptfs Ecryptfs Utils with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. 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-255.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (31st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-255
Affected product: Ecryptfs Ecryptfs Utils
Published: 2008-11-21
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The (1) ecryptfs-setup-private, (2) ecryptfs-setup-confidential, and (3) ecryptfs-setup-pam-wrapped.sh scripts in ecryptfs-utils 45 through 61 in eCryptfs place cleartext passwords on command lines, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by listing the process.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-5188?: The (1) ecryptfs-setup-private, (2) ecryptfs-setup-confidential, and (3) ecryptfs-setup-pam-wrapped.sh scripts in ecryptfs-utils 45 through 61 in eCryptfs place cleartext passwords on command lines, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by listing the process.
How severe is CVE-2008-5188?: CVE-2008-5188 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2008-5188 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-2008-5188?: CVE-2008-5188 primarily affects Ecryptfs Ecryptfs Utils. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-5188?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2008-5188 published?: CVE-2008-5188 was published on 2008-11-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (16)

cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:45:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:46:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:47:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:48:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:49:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:50:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:51:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:53:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:54:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:55:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:56:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:57:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:58:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:59:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:60:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ecryptfs:ecryptfs_utils:61:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ecryptfs Ecryptfs Utils

CVE-2011-1836 — Medium (CVSS 4.6): utils/ecryptfs-recover-private in ecryptfs-utils before 90 does not establish a subdirectory with safe permissions,…
CVE-2011-1831 — Medium (CVSS 4.6): utils/mount.ecryptfs_private.c in ecryptfs-utils before 90 does not properly check mountpoint permissions, which allows…
CVE-2011-1835 — Medium (CVSS 4.4): The encrypted private-directory setup process in utils/ecryptfs-setup-private in ecryptfs-utils before 90 does not…
CVE-2011-1837 — Low (CVSS 3.6): The lock-counter implementation in utils/mount.ecryptfs_private.c in ecryptfs-utils before 90 allows local users to…
CVE-2011-1834 — Low (CVSS 2.1): utils/mount.ecryptfs_private.c in ecryptfs-utils before 90 does not properly maintain the mtab file during error…
CVE-2011-1832 — Low (CVSS 2.1): utils/mount.ecryptfs_private.c in ecryptfs-utils before 90 does not properly check mountpoint permissions, which allows…

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