How severe is CVE-2009-2939?

CVE-2009-2939 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2009-2939 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-2939?

CVE-2009-2939 affects Postfix. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-2939?

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

When was CVE-2009-2939 published?

CVE-2009-2939 was published on 2009-09-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2009-2939

CVE-2009-2939 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Postfix 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% (39th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Postfix
Published: 2009-09-21
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The postfix.postinst script in the Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu postfix 2.5.5 package grants the postfix user write access to /var/spool/postfix/pid, which might allow local users to conduct symlink attacks that overwrite arbitrary files.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-2939?: The postfix.postinst script in the Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu postfix 2.5.5 package grants the postfix user write access to /var/spool/postfix/pid, which might allow local users to conduct symlink attacks that overwrite arbitrary files.
How severe is CVE-2009-2939?: CVE-2009-2939 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2009-2939 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2009-2939?: CVE-2009-2939 affects Postfix. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2009-2939?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2009-2939 published?: CVE-2009-2939 was published on 2009-09-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:postfix:postfix:2.5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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