CVE-2008-6517: SQL injection vulnerability in NewsHOWLER 1.03 Beta allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-6517 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting newshowler. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SQL injection vulnerability in NewsHOWLER 1.03 Beta allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the news_user cookie parameter.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 38%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2009-03-25
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: nick jenkin

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-03-25 18:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

nick jenkin newshowler DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.3_beta

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.3_beta

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.3_beta (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison newshowler sudo apt install newshowler=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.3_beta> sudo apt-mark hold newshowler

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

dnf --showduplicates list newshowler sudo dnf downgrade newshowler-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.3_beta> sudo dnf versionlock add newshowler

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: NewsHOWLER 1.03 - Cookie Data SQL Injection

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-2008-6517?

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

Is CVE-2008-6517 being exploited?

CVE-2008-6517 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-2008-6517 affect?

CVE-2008-6517 affects newshowler. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). SQL injection vulnerability in NewsHOWLER 1.03 Beta allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the news_user cookie parameter.

How urgent is CVE-2008-6517?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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