CVE-2008-6559: Merge mcd in ReliantHA 1.1.4 in SCO UnixWare 7.1.4 allows local users to gain root privileges via a crafted -d

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2008-6559 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting reliantha, unixware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Merge mcd in ReliantHA 1.1.4 in SCO UnixWare 7.1.4 allows local users to gain root privileges via a crafted -d argument that contains .. (dot dot) sequences that point to a directory containing a file whose name includes shell metacharacters.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2009-03-30
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: sco

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-03-30 20:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sco reliantha DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.1.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.1.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison reliantha sudo apt install reliantha=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1.4> sudo apt-mark hold reliantha

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

dnf --showduplicates list reliantha sudo dnf downgrade reliantha-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1.4> sudo dnf versionlock add reliantha

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.

sco unixware MITIGATE

Affected: 7.1.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.1.4

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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: SCO UnixWare Merge - 'mcd' Local Privilege Escalation

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-2008-6559?

reliantha: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; unixware: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-6559 being exploited?

CVE-2008-6559 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-2008-6559 affect?

CVE-2008-6559 affects reliantha, unixware. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Merge mcd in ReliantHA 1.1.4 in SCO UnixWare 7.1.4 allows local users to gain root privileges via a crafted -d argument that contains .. (dot dot) sequences that point to a directory containing a file whose name includes shell metacharacter

How urgent is CVE-2008-6559?

Priority 44/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2008-6558 HIGH 7.2 MITIGATE DOWNGRADE Untrusted search path vulnerability in (1) hvdisp and (2) rcvm in ReliantHA 1.1.4 in SCO UnixWare 7.1.4 allows

References

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