CVE-2008-5397: Tor before 0.2.0.32 does not properly process the (1) User and (2) Group configuration options, which might al

Q: How do I fix CVE-2008-5397?

tor: upgrade to newer than 0.1.2.31. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2008-5397 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5397 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2008-5397 affect?

CVE-2008-5397 affects tor. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Tor before 0.2.0.32 does not properly process the (1) User and (2) Group configuration options, which might allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging unintended supplementary group memberships of the Tor process.

Routine

HIGH 7.2UPGRADE

CVE-2008-5397 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting tor. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Tor before 0.2.0.32 does not properly process the (1) User and (2) Group configuration options, which might allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging unintended supplementary group memberships of the Tor process.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2008-12-09
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: tor

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-12-09 00:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

tor tor UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.1.2.31 · 0.0.2 · 0.0.2_pre13 · 0.0.2_pre14 · 0.0.2_pre15 · 0.0.2_pre16 · 0.0.2_pre17 · 0.0.2_pre18

Fixed in: newer than 0.1.2.31

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.1.2.31 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tor

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade tor

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2008-5397?

tor: upgrade to newer than 0.1.2.31. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-5397 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5397 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-2008-5397 affect?

CVE-2008-5397 affects tor. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Tor before 0.2.0.32 does not properly process the (1) User and (2) Group configuration options, which might allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging unintended supplementary group memberships of the Tor process.

How urgent is CVE-2008-5397?

Priority 33/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-44603 LOW 3.7 UPGRADE Tor before 0.4.9.7 has an out-of-bounds read by one byte via a malformed BEGIN cell, aka TROVE-2026-007.
CVE-2026-44597 LOW 3.7 UPGRADE Tor before 0.4.9.7 has an out-of-bounds read when an END, a TRUNCATE, or a TRUNCATED cell lacks a reason in it
CVE-2026-44600 LOW 3.7 UPGRADE Tor before 0.4.9.7 mishandles accounting of the conflux out-of-order queue during the clearing of a queue, aka
CVE-2026-44601 LOW 3.7 UPGRADE Tor before 0.4.9.7, when circuit queue memory pressure exists, can experience a client crash because of a doub
CVE-2026-44602 LOW 3.7 UPGRADE Tor before 0.4.9.7 has a NULL pointer dereference when a CERT cell is received out of order, aka TROVE-2026-00

References

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