CVE-2008-5981: PacPoll 4.0 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows rem

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-5981 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting pacpoll. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

PacPoll 4.0 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database via a direct request for (1) poll.mdb or (2) poll97.mdb.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	2.4% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2009-01-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: pacosdrivers

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-01-27 01:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pacosdrivers pacpoll DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pacpoll sudo apt install pacpoll=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold pacpoll

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

dnf --showduplicates list pacpoll sudo dnf downgrade pacpoll-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add pacpoll

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: PacPoll 4.0 - 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-2008-5981?

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

Is CVE-2008-5981 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5981 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-2008-5981 affect?

CVE-2008-5981 affects pacpoll. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). PacPoll 4.0 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database via a direct request for (1) poll.mdb or (2) poll97.mdb.

How urgent is CVE-2008-5981?

Priority 44/100. Public exploit reference

References

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