CVE-2008-5157: n/a vulnerability

CVE-2008-5157: tau 2.16.4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) /tmp/makefile.tau....

tau 2.16.4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) /tmp/makefile.tau.*.##### or (2) /tmp/makefile.tau*.##### temporary file, related to the (a) tau_cxx, (b) tau_f90, and (c) tau_cc scripts.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdatedAug 7, 2024, 10:40 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Security readout for executives and security teams

TAU 2.16.4 used predictable temporary makefile names under /tmp. On shared systems, a local user could abuse symbolic links to make TAU-related scripts overwrite files they should not touch. The sources do not provide a CVSS score, confirmed exploit activity, or a named fixed version. Exposure is most likely on Unix-like, multi-user systems where TAU 2.16.4 is installed and untrusted local users can run TAU compiler wrapper scripts. Prioritize review on shared research, engineering, or HPC systems. This is not a remote internet-facing issue, but arbitrary file overwrite by local users can matter where many users share one host. Mitigation focus: Check vendor or distribution guidance for a corrected TAU package.; Upgrade, remove, or restrict TAU 2.16.4 where it is installed.; Limit local shell access on shared systems that run TAU..

Prepared: Jun 28, 2026, 18:15 UTC (UTC+00:00)

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2008-5157 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup

Vulnerability profileCVE Program record

Severity: Unknown
CVSS: Not scored
Known Exploited: No
Published: Nov 18, 2008, 15:00 UTC (UTC+00:00)

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

2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

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

Source materials

CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
tau-multiple-scripts-symlink(46704)CVE reference · vdb-entry, x_refsource_XF

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.