CVE-2005-4278: Untrusted search path vulnerability in Perl before 5.8.7-r1 on Gentoo Linux allows local users in the portage

Q: How do I fix CVE-2005-4278?

perl: upgrade to newer than 5.8.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2005-4278 being exploited?

CVE-2005-4278 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-2005-4278 affect?

CVE-2005-4278 affects perl. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Untrusted search path vulnerability in Perl before 5.8.7-r1 on Gentoo Linux allows local users in the portage group to gain privileges via a malicious shared object in the Portage temporary build directory, which is part of the RUNPATH.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2005-4278?

Priority 39/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Routine

HIGH 7.2WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2005-4278 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting perl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Perl before 5.8.7-r1 on Gentoo Linux allows local users in the portage group to gain privileges via a malicious shared object in the Portage temporary build directory, which is part of the RUNPATH.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 66%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-12-16
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

2005-12-16 11:03 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

larry wall perl UPGRADE

Affected: <= 5.8.6 · 5.3 · 5.4 · 5.4.5 · 5.5 · 5.5.3 · 5.6.1 · 5.8.0

Fixed in: newer than 5.8.6

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.8.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade perl

Note

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

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-2005-4278?

perl: upgrade to newer than 5.8.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-4278 being exploited?

CVE-2005-4278 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-2005-4278 affect?

CVE-2005-4278 affects perl. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Untrusted search path vulnerability in Perl before 5.8.7-r1 on Gentoo Linux allows local users in the portage group to gain privileges via a malicious shared object in the Portage temporary build directory, which is part of the RUNPATH.

How urgent is CVE-2005-4278?

Priority 39/100. High severity; On your watchlist

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References

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