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CVE-2008-0525: PatchLink client lets local users delete files or run code

CVE-2008-0525 · published 18 years ago

Summary

The Unix version of the PatchLink Update client, used in Novell ZENworks Patch Management Update Agent (versions 6.2094 through 6.4102), can be tricked by a local user into erasing files or running any program. This happens because the client’s cleanup scripts follow symbolic links in temporary files. Install the vendor’s security update or limit who can log onto the system and write to the /tmp directory to protect against this risk.

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
lumension_security	patchlink_update	6.2 6.3 6.4 `cpe:2.3:a:lumension_security:patchlink_update:6.2::linux:::::`
novell	zenworks_patch_management_update_agent	6.2 6.3 6.4 `cpe:2.3:a:novell:zenworks_patch_management_update_agent:6.2::linux:::::`

Original advisory text

PatchLink Update client for Unix, as used by Novell ZENworks Patch Management Update Agent for Linux/Unix/Mac (LUM) 6.2094 through 6.4102 and other products, allows local users to (1) truncate arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/patchlink.tmp file used by the logtrimmer script, and (2) execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on the /tmp/plshutdown file used by the rebootTask script.

References

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

4.6 Medium

Exploitation

<1% chance of attack within 30 days

Type

CWE-59Link Following

Timeline

Published31 Jan 2008

Updated4 Nov 2026

First seen29 Sep 2026

Sources

CVE-2008-0525 · NVD

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