CVE-2004-0233: Utempter allows device names that contain .

Routine

LOW 2.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-0233 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting propack, utempter, slackware linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Utempter allows device names that contain .. (dot dot) directory traversal sequences, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on device names in combination with an application that trusts the utmp or wtmp files.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 34%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-08-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: sgi · slackware · utempter

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-08-18 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sgi propack DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.4 · 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy propack || rpm -q propack || propack --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison propack sudo apt install propack=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.4> sudo apt-mark hold propack

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list propack sudo dnf downgrade propack-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.4> sudo dnf versionlock add propack

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

utempter utempter DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.5.2 · 0.5.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.5.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy utempter || rpm -q utempter || utempter --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.5.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison utempter sudo apt install utempter=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.5.2> sudo apt-mark hold utempter

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list utempter sudo dnf downgrade utempter-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.5.2> sudo dnf versionlock add utempter

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

slackware slackware linux MITIGATE

Affected: all versions · 9.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.1

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: UTempter 0.5.x - Multiple Local Vulnerabilities

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-2004-0233?

propack: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; utempter: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; slackware linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-0233 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0233 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-2004-0233 affect?

CVE-2004-0233 affects propack, utempter, slackware linux. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). Utempter allows device names that contain .. (dot dot) directory traversal sequences, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on device names in combination with an application that trusts the utmp or wtmp

How urgent is CVE-2004-0233?

Priority 34/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

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References

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