CVE-2008-4996
** DISPUTED ** init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via...
init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable.
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List
init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable.
- Record
CVE-2008-4996- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-59
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2008-4975
init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable.
- Record
EUVD-2008-4975- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-5hcq-w636-2w8h
** DISPUTED ** init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via...
** DISPUTED ** init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable."
- Record
GHSA-5hcq-w636-2w8h- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-59
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable.
- Record
CVE-2008-4996- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 6.9 Medium
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-59
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2008-4996
init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2008-4996- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV No score
init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable.
- Record
CVE-2008-4996- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
initramfs-toolsDebian:12 |
All versions, plus listed versions 0.1420.142+deb12u10.142+deb12u20.142+deb12u30.143 Show 13 moreShow less0.143.10.1440.1450.1460.1470.1480.148.10.148.20.148.30.148.40.1490.1500.151 |
None known |
initramfs-toolsDebian:13 |
All versions, plus listed versions 0.148.30.148.40.1490.1500.151 |
None known |
initramfs-toolsDebian:14 |
All versions, plus listed versions 0.148.30.148.40.1490.1500.151 |
None known |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2008-4996 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.9) in Debian Initramfs-tools, published November 7, 2008. Its validity is disputed. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.43%, the 37th percentile.