CVE-2000-0566: makewhatis in Linux man package allows local users to overwrite files via a symlink attack.

Routine

HIGH 7.2WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2000-0566 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting openlinux, mandrake linux, linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

makewhatis in Linux man package allows local users to overwrite files via a symlink attack.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 66%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2000-07-03
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: caldera · mandrakesoft · redhat

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2000-07-03 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

caldera openlinux MITIGATE

Affected: 2.3 · 2.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0 · 6.1 · 7.0 · 7.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat linux MITIGATE

Affected: 5.2 · 6.0 · 6.1 · 6.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.2

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2000-0566?

openlinux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mandrake linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2000-0566 being exploited?

CVE-2000-0566 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2000-0566 affect?

CVE-2000-0566 affects openlinux, mandrake linux, linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). makewhatis in Linux man package allows local users to overwrite files via a symlink attack.

How urgent is CVE-2000-0566?

Priority 39/100. High severity; On your watchlist

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References

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