CVE-2008-5743: pdfjam creates the (1) pdf90, (2) pdfjoin, and (3) pdfnup files with a predictable name, which allows local us

Routine

MEDIUM 6.9DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-5743 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.9) affecting pdfjam. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

pdfjam creates the (1) pdf90, (2) pdfjoin, and (3) pdfnup files with a predictable name, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

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 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2008-12-26
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: pdfjam

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-12-26 21:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pdfjam pdfjam DOWNGRADE

Affected: _nil_

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before _nil_

1. Check installed version

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

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

apt-cache madison pdfjam sudo apt install pdfjam=<VERSION_BEFORE__nil_> sudo apt-mark hold pdfjam

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

dnf --showduplicates list pdfjam sudo dnf downgrade pdfjam-<VERSION_BEFORE__nil_> sudo dnf versionlock add pdfjam

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-2008-5743?

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

Is CVE-2008-5743 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5743 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-2008-5743 affect?

CVE-2008-5743 affects pdfjam. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.9). pdfjam creates the (1) pdf90, (2) pdfjoin, and (3) pdfnup files with a predictable name, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

How urgent is CVE-2008-5743?

Priority 38/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2008-5843 MEDIUM 4.6 DOWNGRADE Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in pdfjam allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan hor

References

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