CVE-2008-1671: start_kdeinit in KDE 3.5.5 through 3.5.9, when installed setuid root, allows local users to cause a denial of

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6MITIGATE

CVE-2008-1671 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting kde. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

start_kdeinit in KDE 3.5.5 through 3.5.9, when installed setuid root, allows local users to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via "user-influenceable input" (probably command-line arguments) that cause start_kdeinit to send SIGUSR1 signals to other processes.

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	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-16
Published	2008-04-28
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: kde

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-04-28 17:05 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kde kde MITIGATE

Affected: 3.5.5 · 3.5.6 · 3.5.7 · 3.5.8 · 3.5.9

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.5.5

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-2008-1671?

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

Is CVE-2008-1671 being exploited?

CVE-2008-1671 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-2008-1671 affect?

CVE-2008-1671 affects kde. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). start_kdeinit in KDE 3.5.5 through 3.5.9, when installed setuid root, allows local users to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via "user-influenceable input" (probably command-line arguments) that cause start_kdei

How urgent is CVE-2008-1671?

Priority 34/100. Public exploit reference

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References

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