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CVE Record

CVE-2008-1951: Untrusted search path vulnerability in a certain Red Hat build script for Standards Based Linux Instrumenta...

Untrusted search path vulnerability in a certain Red Hat build script for Standards Based Linux Instrumentation for Manageability (sblim) libraries before 1-13a.el4_6.1 in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 4, and before 1-31.el5_2.1 in RHEL 5, allows local users to gain privileges via a malicious library in a certain subdirectory of /var/tmp, related to an incorrect RPATH setting, as demonstrated by a malicious libc.so library for tog-pegasus.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a legacy Red Hat Enterprise Linux issue where a packaging/build error could let a local user raise privileges. The issue depends on access to an affected RHEL 4 or RHEL 5 system with vulnerable sblim libraries. It is not listed in KEV, and the provided sources do not show active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a legacy-platform hygiene issue with escalation potential. It is not evidence of an urgent internet-wide threat, but it should be prioritized for any remaining RHEL 4 or RHEL 5 production systems, especially shared or externally exposed servers.

Technical view

CVE-2008-1951 is an untrusted search path issue tied to an incorrect RPATH setting in certain Red Hat sblim library builds. A local user could influence library loading from a subdirectory under /var/tmp, demonstrated against tog-pegasus. Fixed package levels are listed for RHEL 4 and RHEL 5.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on old RHEL 4 or RHEL 5 systems running affected sblim library packages below the Red Hat fixed versions. Modern systems are unlikely to be affected unless legacy packages or unsupported images remain in production.

Exploitation context

The provided record describes local privilege escalation, not remote compromise. KEV is false, and no cited source in the bundle confirms active exploitation. Risk rises on shared systems, multi-user hosts, or servers where an attacker could first gain low-privileged local access.

Researcher notes

The root cause is an incorrect RPATH in a Red Hat build script, creating an untrusted library search path. The bundle does not include CVSS, CWE, or detailed exploit maturity data. Keep analysis constrained to Red Hat sblim packages and the named RHEL versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Red Hat advisory RHSA-2008:0497 fixed packages where applicable.
  • Upgrade RHEL 4 sblim libraries to at least 1-13a.el4_6.1.
  • Upgrade RHEL 5 sblim libraries to at least 1-31.el5_2.1.
  • If systems are unsupported, consult Red Hat guidance or retire the asset.
  • Restrict local shell access on affected legacy systems.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory RHEL 4 and RHEL 5 hosts.
  • Compare installed sblim package versions against the fixed Red Hat versions.
  • Use the referenced OVAL definition for vulnerability checks where supported.
  • Review legacy hosts for unexpected libraries in relevant /var/tmp subdirectories.
  • Confirm tog-pegasus deployments are on patched package levels.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.