CVE-2008-5703: gpsdrive (aka gpsdrive-scripts) 2.10~pre4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack

Q: How do I fix CVE-2008-5703?

gpsdrive: upgrade to newer than 2.10. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2008-5703 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5703 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-2008-5703 affect?

CVE-2008-5703 affects gpsdrive. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). gpsdrive (aka gpsdrive-scripts) 2.10~pre4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (a) /tmp/.smswatch or (b) /tmp/gpsdrivepos temporary file, related to (1) examples/gpssmswatch and (2) src/splash.c, diffe

Q: How urgent is CVE-2008-5703?

Priority 27/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 6.2UPGRADE

CVE-2008-5703 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.2) affecting gpsdrive. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

gpsdrive (aka gpsdrive-scripts) 2.10~pre4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (a) /tmp/.smswatch or (b) /tmp/gpsdrivepos temporary file, related to (1) examples/gpssmswatch and (2) src/splash.c, different vectors than CVE-2008-4959 and CVE-2008-5380.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.2 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 78%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2008-12-22
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gpsdrive

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-12-22 15:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gpsdrive gpsdrive UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.10 · 1.32 · 1.33 · 2.09

Fixed in: newer than 2.10

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.10 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gpsdrive

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-2008-5703?

gpsdrive: upgrade to newer than 2.10. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-5703 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5703 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-2008-5703 affect?

CVE-2008-5703 affects gpsdrive. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). gpsdrive (aka gpsdrive-scripts) 2.10~pre4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (a) /tmp/.smswatch or (b) /tmp/gpsdrivepos temporary file, related to (1) examples/gpssmswatch and (2) src/splash.c, diffe

How urgent is CVE-2008-5703?

Priority 27/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2008-5704 HIGH 7.6 UPGRADE src/unit_test.c in gpsdrive (aka gpsdrive-scripts) 2.10~pre4 might allow local users to overwrite arbitrary fi
CVE-2008-5380 MEDIUM 6.9 DOWNGRADE gpsdrive (aka gpsdrive-scripts) 2.09 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a

References

← Back to latest CVEs