CVE-2004-0559: The maketemp.pl script in Usermin 1.070 and 1.080 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files at install t

Routine

LOW 2.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-0559 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting usermin, webmin, mandrake linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The maketemp.pl script in Usermin 1.070 and 1.080 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files at install time via a symlink attack on the /tmp/.usermin directory.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 70%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-10-20
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mandrakesoft · usermin · webmin

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-10-20 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

usermin usermin DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.000 · 1.010 · 1.020 · 1.030 · 1.040 · 1.051 · 1.060 · 1.070

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.000

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.000 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison usermin sudo apt install usermin=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.000> sudo apt-mark hold usermin

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

dnf --showduplicates list usermin sudo dnf downgrade usermin-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.000> sudo dnf versionlock add usermin

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.

webmin webmin DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.00 · 1.0.20 · 1.0.50 · 1.0.60 · 1.0.70 · 1.0.80 · 1.0.90 · 1.1.00

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.00

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.00 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison webmin sudo apt install webmin=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.00> sudo apt-mark hold webmin

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

dnf --showduplicates list webmin sudo dnf downgrade webmin-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.00> sudo dnf versionlock add webmin

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.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.2 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.2

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.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux corporate server MITIGATE

Affected: 2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1

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.

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-2004-0559?

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

Is CVE-2004-0559 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0559 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-2004-0559 affect?

CVE-2004-0559 affects usermin, webmin, mandrake linux. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). The maketemp.pl script in Usermin 1.070 and 1.080 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files at install time via a symlink attack on the /tmp/.usermin directory.

How urgent is CVE-2004-0559?

Priority 20/100. On your watchlist

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References

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