CVE-2000-0829: The tmpwatch utility in Red Hat Linux forks a new process for each directory level, which allows local user...

Security readout for executives and security teams

This is a legacy local denial-of-service issue in Red Hat Linux tmpwatch. A local user could make tmpwatch consume excessive process resources when it handles deeply nested temporary directories, potentially disrupting the host. The sources do not show remote compromise or data theft. Exposure is most plausible on old Red Hat Linux systems running the vulnerable tmpwatch utility with local user access and writable temporary directories. Modern supported systems may not be affected, but the bundle does not provide current package status. Prioritize this for legacy Linux environments with multiple local users or shared shell access. It is unlikely to be an internet-facing emergency based on the supplied evidence, but it can affect availability on unpatched legacy hosts. Mitigation focus: Review Red Hat advisory RHSA-2000:080 for affected tmpwatch packages and fixes.; Apply vendor-supported tmpwatch or operating system updates where applicable.; Reduce local shell access on legacy systems where tmpwatch cannot be updated..

Prepared

Jul 1, 2026, 09:34 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.