CVE-2012-3500: scripts/annotate-output.sh in devscripts before 2.12.2, as used in rpmdevtools before 8.3, allows local users

Q: How do I fix CVE-2012-3500?

devscripts: upgrade to newer than 2.12.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2012-3500 being exploited?

CVE-2012-3500 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2012-3500 affect?

CVE-2012-3500 affects devscripts. Severity is low (CVSS 1.2). scripts/annotate-output.sh in devscripts before 2.12.2, as used in rpmdevtools before 8.3, allows local users to modify arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the temporary (1) standard output or (2) standard error output file.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2012-3500?

Priority 9/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

LOW 1.2UPGRADE

CVE-2012-3500 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 1.2) affecting devscripts. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

scripts/annotate-output.sh in devscripts before 2.12.2, as used in rpmdevtools before 8.3, allows local users to modify arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the temporary (1) standard output or (2) standard error output file.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	1.2 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 81%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-362
Published	2012-10-01
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: devscripts devel team

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-10-01 00:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:43 UTCUpdated Record last modified

devscripts devel team devscripts UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.12.1 · 2.12.0

Fixed in: newer than 2.12.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.12.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade devscripts

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade devscripts

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2012-3500?

devscripts: upgrade to newer than 2.12.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-3500 being exploited?

CVE-2012-3500 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-2012-3500 affect?

CVE-2012-3500 affects devscripts. Severity is low (CVSS 1.2). scripts/annotate-output.sh in devscripts before 2.12.2, as used in rpmdevtools before 8.3, allows local users to modify arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the temporary (1) standard output or (2) standard error output file.

How urgent is CVE-2012-3500?

Priority 9/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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