CVE-2009-2040: admin/options.php in Grestul 1.2 does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to bypass au

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-2040 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting grestul. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

admin/options.php in Grestul 1.2 does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and create administrative accounts via a manage_admin action in a direct request.

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	2.9% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2009-06-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: grestul

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-06-12 18:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

grestul grestul DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison grestul sudo apt install grestul=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2> sudo apt-mark hold grestul

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

dnf --showduplicates list grestul sudo dnf downgrade grestul-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2> sudo dnf versionlock add grestul

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: Grestul 1.2 - Remote Add Administrator Account

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-2009-2040?

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

Is CVE-2009-2040 being exploited?

CVE-2009-2040 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-2009-2040 affect?

CVE-2009-2040 affects grestul. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). admin/options.php in Grestul 1.2 does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and create administrative accounts via a manage_admin action in a direct request.

How urgent is CVE-2009-2040?

Priority 53/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

References

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