CVE-2008-4985: vdrleaktest in Video Disk Recorder (aka vdr-dbg or vdr) 1.6.0 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files

Routine

MEDIUM 6.9DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-4985 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.9) affecting vdr. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

vdrleaktest in Video Disk Recorder (aka vdr-dbg or vdr) 1.6.0 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/memleaktest.log temporary file.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.9 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 67%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2008-11-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cadsoft

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-11-06 15:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cadsoft vdr DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.6.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.6.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison vdr sudo apt install vdr=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6.0> sudo apt-mark hold vdr

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

dnf --showduplicates list vdr sudo dnf downgrade vdr-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6.0> sudo dnf versionlock add vdr

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-2008-4985?

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

Is CVE-2008-4985 being exploited?

CVE-2008-4985 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-2008-4985 affect?

CVE-2008-4985 affects vdr. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.9). vdrleaktest in Video Disk Recorder (aka vdr-dbg or vdr) 1.6.0 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/memleaktest.log temporary file.

How urgent is CVE-2008-4985?

Priority 37/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2010-3387 MEDIUM 6.9 DOWNGRADE vdrleaktest in Video Disk Recorder (VDR) 1.6.0 places a zero-length directory name in the LD_LIBRARY_PATH, whi
CVE-2005-0071 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE vdr before 1.2.6 does not securely create files, which allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files.

References

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