CVE-2006-2856: ActiveState ActivePerl 5.8.8.817 for Windows configures the site/lib directory with "Users" group permissions

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-2856 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting activeperl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ActiveState ActivePerl 5.8.8.817 for Windows configures the site/lib directory with "Users" group permissions for changing files, which allows local users to gain privileges by creating a malicious sitecustomize.pl file in that directory. NOTE: The provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.

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	0.4% (top 68%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2006-06-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: activestate

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-06-06 20:06 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

activestate activeperl DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.8.8.817

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.8.8.817

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.8.8.817 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison activeperl sudo apt install activeperl=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8.8.817> sudo apt-mark hold activeperl

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

dnf --showduplicates list activeperl sudo dnf downgrade activeperl-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8.8.817> sudo dnf versionlock add activeperl

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-2006-2856?

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

Is CVE-2006-2856 being exploited?

CVE-2006-2856 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-2006-2856 affect?

CVE-2006-2856 affects activeperl. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). ActiveState ActivePerl 5.8.8.817 for Windows configures the site/lib directory with "Users" group permissions for changing files, which allows local users to gain privileges by creating a malicious sitecustomize.pl file in that directory.

How urgent is CVE-2006-2856?

Priority 24/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

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References

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