How severe is CVE-2008-6540?

CVE-2008-6540 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.1, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2008-6540 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-6540?

CVE-2008-6540 primarily affects Dnnsoftware Dotnetnuke. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-6540?

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

When was CVE-2008-6540 published?

CVE-2008-6540 was published on 2009-03-30 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-6540

CVE-2008-6540 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Dnnsoftware Dotnetnuke with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.1. 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: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 5.1)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (83rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Dnnsoftware Dotnetnuke
Published: 2009-03-30
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

DotNetNuke before 4.8.2, during installation or upgrade, does not warn the administrator when the default (1) ValidationKey and (2) DecryptionKey values cannot be modified in the web.config file, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by using the default keys.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-6540?: DotNetNuke before 4.8.2, during installation or upgrade, does not warn the administrator when the default (1) ValidationKey and (2) DecryptionKey values cannot be modified in the web.config file, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by using the default keys.
How severe is CVE-2008-6540?: CVE-2008-6540 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.1, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2008-6540 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-6540?: CVE-2008-6540 primarily affects Dnnsoftware Dotnetnuke. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-6540?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2008-6540 published?: CVE-2008-6540 was published on 2009-03-30 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (17)

cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:1.0.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:1.0.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:1.0.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:1.0.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:1.0.10d:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:1.0.10e:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:2.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:2.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:3.0.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:3.0.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:3.0.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:3.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:3.3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:4.3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:dnnsoftware:dotnetnuke:4.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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