CVE-2004-1181: htmlheadline before 21.8 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary fil

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-1181 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting htmlheadline. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

htmlheadline before 21.8 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 72%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-04-14
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: toshiaki kanosue

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-04-14 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

toshiaki kanosue htmlheadline DOWNGRADE

Affected: 21.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 21.8

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 21.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison htmlheadline sudo apt install htmlheadline=<VERSION_BEFORE_21.8> sudo apt-mark hold htmlheadline

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

dnf --showduplicates list htmlheadline sudo dnf downgrade htmlheadline-<VERSION_BEFORE_21.8> sudo dnf versionlock add htmlheadline

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.

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-2004-1181?

htmlheadline: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-1181 being exploited?

CVE-2004-1181 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-2004-1181 affect?

CVE-2004-1181 affects htmlheadline. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). htmlheadline before 21.8 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.

How urgent is CVE-2004-1181?

Priority 23/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

References

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