The (1) dist or (2) distcheck rules in GNU Automake 1.11.1, 1.10.3, and release branches…
Priority LOW 21CWE-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
- Partial · Partial · Partial
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The (1) dist or (2) distcheck rules in GNU Automake 1.11.1, 1.10.3, and release branches branch-1-4 through branch-1-9, when producing a distribution tarball for a package that uses Automake, assign insecure permissions (777) to directories in the build tree, which introduces a race condition that allows local users to modify the contents of package files, introduce Trojan horse programs, or conduct other attacks before the build is complete.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00481 41st 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-2010:0321 Released 2010-03-29 · Red Hat rating Lowautomake security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) automake-1.9.6-2.3.el5, automake14-1.4p6-13.el5.1, automake15-1.5-16.el5.2 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Workstation (v. 5 client) automake-1.9.6-2.3.el5, automake14-1.4p6-13.el5.1, automake15-1.5-16.el5.2 +2
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-2010:0321 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Workstation (v. 5 client) | Fixed | RHSA-2010:0321 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2009-4029
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-9xh2-rhpf-vx4p
References
Exploit 1
Advisory 2
Other 7
- http://savannah.gnu.org/forum/forum.php?forum_id=6077
- [automake] 20091208 Re: CVE-2009-4029 Automake security fix for 'make dist*'
- [automake] 20091208 GNU Automake 1.11.1 released
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11717
- http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2010-0071
- ADV-2009-3579
- [automake] 20091208 GNU Automake 1.10.3 released
More GNU Automake vulnerabilities
- TI-2012-02916 The "make distcheck" rule in GNU Automake before 1.11.6 and 1.12.x before 1.12.2 grants… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 4.4
Sources
- CVE-2009-4029 · CVE Program
- CVE-2009-4029 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-9xh2-rhpf-vx4p · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2009-4029 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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