CVE-2008-5899: CodeAvalanche FreeForAll stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, whi

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-5899 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting freeforall. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

CodeAvalanche FreeForAll 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/CAFFAPage.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 freeforall DOWNGRADE

Affected: _nil_

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before _nil_

1. Check installed version

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

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

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

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

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

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 FreeForAll - 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-2008-5899?

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

Is CVE-2008-5899 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5899 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-2008-5899 affect?

CVE-2008-5899 affects freeforall. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). CodeAvalanche FreeForAll 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/C

How urgent is CVE-2008-5899?

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

References

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