Track vulnerabilities like this one. Sign up free to get alerted when software you use is affected.
4.9

FreeBSD lets local users read write-only files

CVE-2008-0777 · published 18 years ago
Summary

In FreeBSD versions 5.5 through 7.0, the sendfile function does not verify whether a file is opened as write‑only, so a user on the same system can read its contents. This could expose data that should be hidden. Update to a patched version of FreeBSD or apply the vendor's security update to correct the check.

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
VendorProductAffected versions
freebsd freebsd 5.5
6.2
6.3
7.0
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Original advisory text
The sendfile system call in FreeBSD 5.5 through 7.0 does not check the access flags of the file descriptor used for sending a file, which allows local users to read the contents of write-only files.
The sendfile system call in FreeBSD 5.5 through 7.0 does not check the access flags of the file descriptor used for sending a file, which allows local users to read the contents of write-only files.
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
4.9 Medium
Exploitation
<1% chance of attack within 30 days
Type
CWE-264Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls
Timeline
Published15 Feb 2008
Updated4 Nov 2026
First seen29 Sep 2026
Sources
CVE-2008-0777 · NVD
Track software like this
Free during beta