CVE-2012-5628: gofer before 0.68 uses world-writable permissions for /var/lib/gofer/journal/watchdog, which allows local user

Routine

MEDIUM 4.4DOWNGRADE

CVE-2012-5628 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.4) affecting gofer. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

gofer before 0.68 uses world-writable permissions for /var/lib/gofer/journal/watchdog, which allows local users to cause a denial of service by removing journal entries.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.4 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 81%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-275
Published	2018-05-04
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: gofer project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-05-04 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:47 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gofer project gofer DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.68

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.68

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.68 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gofer sudo apt install gofer=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.68> sudo apt-mark hold gofer

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

dnf --showduplicates list gofer sudo dnf downgrade gofer-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.68> sudo dnf versionlock add gofer

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-2012-5628?

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

Is CVE-2012-5628 being exploited?

CVE-2012-5628 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-2012-5628 affect?

CVE-2012-5628 affects gofer. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.4). gofer before 0.68 uses world-writable permissions for /var/lib/gofer/journal/watchdog, which allows local users to cause a denial of service by removing journal entries.

How urgent is CVE-2012-5628?

Priority 20/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

References

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