How severe is CVE-2008-5617?

CVE-2008-5617 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.5, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-5617 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-5617?

CVE-2008-5617 primarily affects Rsyslog. In total, 28 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-5617?

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-2008-5617 published?

CVE-2008-5617 was published on 2008-12-17 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-5617

CVE-2008-5617 is a high-severity vulnerability in Rsyslog with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.5. 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-264.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 8.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (80th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Rsyslog
Published: 2008-12-17
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The ACL handling in rsyslog 3.12.1 to 3.20.0, 4.1.0, and 4.1.1 does not follow $AllowedSender directive, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and spoof log messages or create a large number of spurious messages.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-5617?: The ACL handling in rsyslog 3.12.1 to 3.20.0, 4.1.0, and 4.1.1 does not follow $AllowedSender directive, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and spoof log messages or create a large number of spurious messages.
How severe is CVE-2008-5617?: CVE-2008-5617 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.5, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2008-5617 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-5617?: CVE-2008-5617 primarily affects Rsyslog. In total, 28 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-5617?: 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-2008-5617 published?: CVE-2008-5617 was published on 2008-12-17 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (28)

cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.12.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.12.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.12.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.12.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.12.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.13.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.15.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.15.1:beta:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.17.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.17.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.17.4:beta:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.17.5:beta:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.19.12:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:3.20.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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