How severe is CVE-2009-4146?

CVE-2009-4146 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2009-4146 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-4146?

CVE-2009-4146 primarily affects Freebsd. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-4146?

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-2009-4146 published?

CVE-2009-4146 was published on 2009-12-02 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2009-4146

CVE-2009-4146 is a high-severity vulnerability in Freebsd 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-264.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (89th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Freebsd
Published: 2009-12-02
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The _rtld function in the Run-Time Link-Editor (rtld) in libexec/rtld-elf/rtld.c in FreeBSD 7.1, 7.2, and 8.0 does not clear the LD_PRELOAD environment variable, which allows local users to gain privileges by executing a setuid or setguid program with a modified LD_PRELOAD variable containing an untrusted search path that points to a Trojan horse library, a different vector than CVE-2009-4147.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-4146?: The _rtld function in the Run-Time Link-Editor (rtld) in libexec/rtld-elf/rtld.c in FreeBSD 7.1, 7.2, and 8.0 does not clear the LD_PRELOAD environment variable, which allows local users to gain privileges by executing a setuid or setguid program with a modified LD_PRELOAD variable containing an untrusted search path that points to a Trojan horse library, a different vector than CVE-2009-4147.
How severe is CVE-2009-4146?: CVE-2009-4146 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2009-4146 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2009-4146?: CVE-2009-4146 primarily affects Freebsd. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2009-4146?: 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-2009-4146 published?: CVE-2009-4146 was published on 2009-12-02 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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