CVE-2009-0498: Virtual GuestBook (vgbook) 2.1 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access contro

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-0498 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting virtual guestbook. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Virtual GuestBook (vgbook) 2.1 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file via a direct request to guestbook.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	2.3% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2009-02-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: minitdesign

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-02-10 01:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

minitdesign virtual guestbook DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy virtual-guestbook || rpm -q virtual-guestbook || virtual-guestbook --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison virtual-guestbook sudo apt install virtual-guestbook=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1> sudo apt-mark hold virtual-guestbook

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

dnf --showduplicates list virtual-guestbook sudo dnf downgrade virtual-guestbook-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add virtual-guestbook

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: Virtual Guestbook 2.1 - Remote 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-2009-0498?

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

Is CVE-2009-0498 being exploited?

CVE-2009-0498 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-2009-0498 affect?

CVE-2009-0498 affects virtual guestbook. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Virtual GuestBook (vgbook) 2.1 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file via a direct request to guestbook.mdb.

How urgent is CVE-2009-0498?

Priority 43/100. Public exploit reference

References

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