CVE-2008-5897: CodeAvalanche FreeWallpaper stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control,

This month

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-5897 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting freewallpaper. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

CodeAvalanche FreeWallpaper stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file containing the administrator password via a direct request for _private/CAFreeWallpaper.mdb. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	6.4% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2009-01-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: codeavalanche

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-01-12 20:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

codeavalanche freewallpaper DOWNGRADE

Affected: _nil_

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before _nil_

1. Check installed version

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

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

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

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

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

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: CodeAvalanche FreeWallpaper - Remote Database Disclosure

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-2008-5897?

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

Is CVE-2008-5897 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5897 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-2008-5897 affect?

CVE-2008-5897 affects freewallpaper. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). CodeAvalanche FreeWallpaper stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file containing the administrator password via a direct request for _privat

How urgent is CVE-2008-5897?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

References

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