Race condition in the rmtree function in File::Path 1.08 (lib/File/Path.pm) in Perl 5.8.8…
Priority LOW 30CWE-362Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- — Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
- Attack complexity
- Medium
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Complete · Complete · Complete
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
Race condition in the rmtree function in File::Path 1.08 (lib/File/Path.pm) in Perl 5.8.8 allows local users to to delete arbitrary files via a symlink attack, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-0448, CVE-2004-0452, and CVE-2008-2827. NOTE: this is a regression error related to CVE-2005-0448. It is different from CVE-2008-5302 due to affected versions.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00332 26th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 1 advisory
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2010:0458 Released 2010-06-07 · Red Hat rating Moderateperl security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) perl-4:5.8.8-32.el5_5.1, perl-4:5.8.8-32.el5_5.1.i386, perl-4:5.8.8-32.el5_5.1.ia64 +5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) perl-4:5.8.8-32.el5_5.1, perl-4:5.8.8-32.el5_5.1.i386, perl-suidperl-4:5.8.8-32.el5_5.1 +1
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) | Fixed | RHSA-2010:0458 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) | Fixed | RHSA-2010:0458 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2008-5303
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-4m3f-gxf5-6jm9
References
Other 9
- http://wiki.rpath.com/Advisories:rPSA-2009-0011
- [oss-security] 20081128 Re: [oss-security] CVE Request - cups, dovecot-managesieve, perl, wireshark
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:6680
- http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=286922#36
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9699
- http://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&id=JSA10705
- http://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&id=JSA10735
- http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/perl/porters/233695#233695
More Perl File vulnerabilities
- TI-2008-05047 Race condition in the rmtree function in File::Path 1.08 and 2.07 (lib/File/Path.pm) in… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 6.9
Sources
- CVE-2008-5303 · CVE Program
- CVE-2008-5303 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-4m3f-gxf5-6jm9 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2008-5303 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences