How severe is CVE-2009-5068?

CVE-2009-5068 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2009-5068 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (75th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-5068?

CVE-2009-5068 affects Simplemachines Simple Machines Forum. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-5068?

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-2009-5068 published?

CVE-2009-5068 was published on 2020-01-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2009-5068

CVE-2009-5068 is a high-severity vulnerability in Simplemachines Simple Machines Forum with a CVSS 3.x 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-312.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v2: 3.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (75th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-312
Affected product: Simplemachines Simple Machines Forum
Published: 2020-01-15
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

There is a file disclosure vulnerability in SMF (Simple Machines Forum) affecting versions through v2.0.3. On some configurations a SMF deployment is shared by several "co-admins" that are not trusted beyond the SMF deployment. This vulnerability allows them to read arbitrary files on the filesystem and therefore gain new privileges by reading the settings.php with the database passwords.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-5068?: There is a file disclosure vulnerability in SMF (Simple Machines Forum) affecting versions through v2.0.3. On some configurations a SMF deployment is shared by several "co-admins" that are not trusted beyond the SMF deployment. This vulnerability allows them to read arbitrary files on the filesystem and therefore gain new privileges by reading the settings.php with the database passwords.
How severe is CVE-2009-5068?: CVE-2009-5068 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2009-5068 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (75th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2009-5068?: CVE-2009-5068 affects Simplemachines Simple Machines Forum. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2009-5068?: 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-2009-5068 published?: CVE-2009-5068 was published on 2020-01-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/02/01/4

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:simplemachines:simple_machines_forum:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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