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CVE-2002-1193: tkmail lets local users overwrite files via symlink

CVE-2002-1193 · published 24 years ago

Summary

The tkmail email client (versions before 4.0beta9‑8.1) creates temporary files in a way that a local user can replace them with symbolic links. This allows that user to write or replace any file that the tkmail process can access, potentially modifying system or application files. Upgrade tkmail to version 4.0beta9‑8.1 or later, or apply the vendor’s recommended patch to fix the temporary‑file handling.

What to do

The CVE record does not list a fixed version. Check the vendor's site or the advisory links below - a fix may already be released.

Affected software

Vendor	Product	Affected versions
tkmail	tkmail	4.0_beta1 4.0_beta4 4.0_beta6 4.0_beta8 4.0_beta9 `cpe:2.3:a:tkmail:tkmail:4.0_beta1:::::::*`

Original advisory text

tkmail before 4.0beta9-8.1 allows local users to create or overwrite files as users via a symlink attack on temporary files.

References

http://www.debian.org/security/2002/dsa-172 Patch Vendor Advisory
http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/10307.php Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/5911

Fix within

Internet-facing 60 days

Internal At next upgrade

Not known to be exploited
Needs hands-on effort to exploit (estimated)
Gives an attacker partial control (estimated)

Severity

2.1 Low

Exploitation

<1% chance of attack within 30 days

Timeline

Published28 Oct 2002

Updated4 Nov 2026

First seen29 Sep 2026

Sources

CVE-2002-1193 · NVD

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