CVE-2015-5704: scripts/licensecheck.pl in devscripts before 2.15.7 allows local users to execute arbitrary shell commands.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2015-5704?

devscripts: upgrade to newer than 2.15.6; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2015-5704 being exploited?

CVE-2015-5704 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-2015-5704 affect?

CVE-2015-5704 affects devscripts, fedora. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). scripts/licensecheck.pl in devscripts before 2.15.7 allows local users to execute arbitrary shell commands.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2015-5704?

Priority 43/100. High severity; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2015-5704 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting devscripts, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

scripts/licensecheck.pl in devscripts before 2.15.7 allows local users to execute arbitrary shell commands.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 55%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-77
Published	2017-09-25
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: devscripts devel team · fedoraproject

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-09-25 21:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:29 UTCUpdated Record last modified

devscripts devel team devscripts UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.15.6

Fixed in: newer than 2.15.6

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 2.15.6 (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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 21 · 22

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 21

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2015-5704?

devscripts: upgrade to newer than 2.15.6; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-5704 being exploited?

CVE-2015-5704 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-2015-5704 affect?

CVE-2015-5704 affects devscripts, fedora. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). scripts/licensecheck.pl in devscripts before 2.15.7 allows local users to execute arbitrary shell commands.

How urgent is CVE-2015-5704?

Priority 43/100. High severity; On your watchlist

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References

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