CVE-2005-1916: linki.py in ekg 2005-06-05 and earlier allows local users to overwrite or create arbitrary files via a symlink

Q: How do I fix CVE-2005-1916?

ekg: upgrade to newer than 2005-06-05; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2005-1916 being exploited?

CVE-2005-1916 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2005-1916 affect?

CVE-2005-1916 affects ekg, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). linki.py in ekg 2005-06-05 and earlier allows local users to overwrite or create arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2005-1916?

Priority 32/100. On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2005-1916 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting ekg, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

linki.py in ekg 2005-06-05 and earlier allows local users to overwrite or create arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2005-07-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: debian · ekg project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-07-06 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:13 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ekg project ekg UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2005-06-05

Fixed in: newer than 2005-06-05

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2005-06-05 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade ekg

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ekg

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 3.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1

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-2005-1916?

ekg: upgrade to newer than 2005-06-05; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-1916 being exploited?

CVE-2005-1916 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-2005-1916 affect?

CVE-2005-1916 affects ekg, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). linki.py in ekg 2005-06-05 and earlier allows local users to overwrite or create arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.

How urgent is CVE-2005-1916?

Priority 32/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2007-1665 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Memory leak in the token OCR functionality in ekg before 1:1.7~rc2-1etch1 on Debian GNU/Linux Etch allows remo
CVE-2007-1664 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE ekg before 1:1.7~rc2-1etch1 on Debian GNU/Linux Etch allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NUL
CVE-2007-1663 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Memory leak in the image message functionality in ekg before 1:1.7~rc2-1etch1 on Debian GNU/Linux Etch allows
CVE-2005-2448 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Multiple "endianness errors" in libgadu in ekg before 1.6rc2 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of servi
CVE-2005-2370 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE UPGRADE Multiple "memory alignment errors" in libgadu, as used in ekg before 1.6rc2, Gaim before 1.5.0, and other pack

References

← Back to latest CVEs