CVE-2007-0159: Directory traversal vulnerability in the GeoIP_update_database_general function in libGeoIP/GeoIPUpdate.c in G

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MEDIUM 6.4DOWNGRADE

CVE-2007-0159 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.4) affecting geoip. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in the GeoIP_update_database_general function in libGeoIP/GeoIPUpdate.c in GeoIP 1.4.0 allows remote malicious update servers (possibly only update.maxmind.com) to overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the database filename, which is returned by a request to app/update_getfilename.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.4 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2007-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: geoip

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2007-01-10 00:28 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:35 UTCUpdated Record last modified

geoip geoip DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison geoip sudo apt install geoip=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold geoip

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

dnf --showduplicates list geoip sudo dnf downgrade geoip-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add geoip

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-2007-0159?

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

Is CVE-2007-0159 being exploited?

CVE-2007-0159 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-2007-0159 affect?

CVE-2007-0159 affects geoip. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.4). Directory traversal vulnerability in the GeoIP_update_database_general function in libGeoIP/GeoIPUpdate.c in GeoIP 1.4.0 allows remote malicious update servers (possibly only update.maxmind.com) to overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot do

How urgent is CVE-2007-0159?

Priority 43/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

References

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