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

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-5843 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting pdfjam. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in pdfjam allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse program in (1) the current working directory or (2) /var/tmp, related to the (a) pdf90, (b) pdfjoin, and (c) pdfnup scripts.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 72%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2009-01-05
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

2009-01-05 20:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:01 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-2008-5843?

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

Is CVE-2008-5843 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5843 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-2008-5843 affect?

CVE-2008-5843 affects pdfjam. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in pdfjam allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse program in (1) the current working directory or (2) /var/tmp, related to the (a) pdf90, (b) pdfjoin, and (c) pdfnup scripts.

How urgent is CVE-2008-5843?

Priority 23/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2008-5743 MEDIUM 6.9 DOWNGRADE pdfjam creates the (1) pdf90, (2) pdfjoin, and (3) pdfnup files with a predictable name, which allows local us

References

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