CVE-2012-4974: Layton Helpbox 4.4.0 allows remote authenticated users to change the login context and gain privileges via a m

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2012-4974 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting helpbox. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Layton Helpbox 4.4.0 allows remote authenticated users to change the login context and gain privileges via a modified (1) loggedinenduser, (2) loggedinendusername, (3) loggedinuserusergroup, (4) loggedinuser, or (5) loggedinusername cookie.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 35%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2012-12-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: laytontechnology

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-12-12 11:38 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:45 UTCUpdated Record last modified

laytontechnology helpbox DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison helpbox sudo apt install helpbox=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold helpbox

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

dnf --showduplicates list helpbox sudo dnf downgrade helpbox-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add helpbox

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.

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-2012-4974?

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

Is CVE-2012-4974 being exploited?

CVE-2012-4974 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-2012-4974 affect?

CVE-2012-4974 affects helpbox. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Layton Helpbox 4.4.0 allows remote authenticated users to change the login context and gain privileges via a modified (1) loggedinenduser, (2) loggedinendusername, (3) loggedinuserusergroup, (4) loggedinuser, or (5) loggedinusername cookie.

How urgent is CVE-2012-4974?

Priority 39/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2012-4977 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Layton Helpbox 4.4.0 allows remote attackers to discover cleartext credentials for the login page by sniffing
CVE-2012-4976 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE selectawasset.asp in Layton Helpbox 4.4.0 allows remote attackers to discover ODBC database credentials via an
CVE-2012-4975 MEDIUM 4.0 DOWNGRADE editrequestuser.asp in Layton Helpbox 4.4.0 allows remote authenticated users to change arbitrary support-tick
CVE-2012-4972 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Layton Helpbox 4.4.0 allow remote attackers to inject a
CVE-2012-4971 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Layton Helpbox 4.4.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL

References

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