CVE-2008-6398: sng_regress in SNG 1.0.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/

Routine

MEDIUM 6.9DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-6398 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.9) affecting sng. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

sng_regress in SNG 1.0.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/recompiled$$.png, (2) /tmp/decompiled$$.sng, and (3) /tmp/canonicalized$$.sng temporary files.

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 70%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2009-03-04
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: eric raymond

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-03-04 17:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

eric raymond sng DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison sng sudo apt install sng=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.2> sudo apt-mark hold sng

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

dnf --showduplicates list sng sudo dnf downgrade sng-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.2> sudo dnf versionlock add sng

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-2008-6398?

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

Is CVE-2008-6398 being exploited?

CVE-2008-6398 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-2008-6398 affect?

CVE-2008-6398 affects sng. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.9). sng_regress in SNG 1.0.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/recompiled$$.png, (2) /tmp/decompiled$$.sng, and (3) /tmp/canonicalized$$.sng temporary files.

How urgent is CVE-2008-6398?

Priority 37/100. Public exploit reference

References

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