CVE-2008-5040: Graphiks MyForum 1.3 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by settin

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-5040 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting myforum. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Graphiks MyForum 1.3 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting the (1) myforum_login and (2) myforum_pass cookies to 1.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.6% (top 15%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2008-11-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: graphiks

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-11-12 21:09 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

graphiks myforum DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison myforum sudo apt install myforum=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3> sudo apt-mark hold myforum

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

dnf --showduplicates list myforum sudo dnf downgrade myforum-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3> sudo dnf versionlock add myforum

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: MyForum 1.3 - Insecure Cookie Handling

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-2008-5040?

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

Is CVE-2008-5040 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5040 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-2008-5040 affect?

CVE-2008-5040 affects myforum. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Graphiks MyForum 1.3 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting the (1) myforum_login and (2) myforum_pass cookies to 1.

How urgent is CVE-2008-5040?

Priority 53/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2009-1852 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Graphiks MyForum 1.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL
CVE-2008-4780 MEDIUM 6.8 DOWNGRADE Directory traversal vulnerability in admin/centre.php in MyForum 1.3, when register_globals is enabled, allows
CVE-2008-4760 MEDIUM 6.8 DOWNGRADE SQL injection vulnerability in lecture.php in Graphiks MyForum 1.3, when register_globals is enabled, allows r

References

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