CVE-2005-0155: The PerlIO implementation in Perl 5.8.0, when installed with setuid support (sperl), allows local users to cre

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-0155 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting perl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The PerlIO implementation in Perl 5.8.0, when installed with setuid support (sperl), allows local users to create arbitrary files via the PERLIO_DEBUG variable.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 32%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-05-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: larry wall

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-05-02 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

larry wall perl DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.8.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.8.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison perl sudo apt install perl=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8.0> sudo apt-mark hold perl

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

dnf --showduplicates list perl sudo dnf downgrade perl-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8.0> sudo dnf versionlock add perl

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.

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: Setuid perl - 'PerlIO_Debug()' Root Owned File Creation Privilege Escalation

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-2005-0155?

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

Is CVE-2005-0155 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0155 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-2005-0155 affect?

CVE-2005-0155 affects perl. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). The PerlIO implementation in Perl 5.8.0, when installed with setuid support (sperl), allows local users to create arbitrary files via the PERLIO_DEBUG variable.

How urgent is CVE-2005-0155?

Priority 38/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

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References

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