CVE-2009-5081: n/a vulnerability

CVE-2009-5081: The (1) config.guess, (2) contrib/groffer/perl/groffer.pl, and (3) contrib/groffer/perl/roff2.pl scripts in...

The (1) config.guess, (2) contrib/groffer/perl/groffer.pl, and (3) contrib/groffer/perl/roff2.pl scripts in GNU troff (aka groff) 1.21 and earlier use an insufficient number of X characters in the template argument to the tempfile function, which makes it easier for local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2004-0969.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdatedAug 7, 2024, 07:24 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Security readout for executives and security teams

CVE-2009-5081 is a local file-overwrite weakness in older GNU groff scripts. A local user could exploit unsafe temporary-file naming to overwrite files through symlinks. The business risk is mainly on systems where untrusted users have shell access or where these scripts run with elevated privileges. Exposure is most likely on legacy Unix/Linux systems with groff 1.21 or earlier installed, especially multi-user systems or build/documentation hosts where local users can execute groff-related scripts. Treat this as a legacy local-risk issue, not an emergency internet-facing exposure based on provided evidence. Prioritize remediation on shared systems, build servers, and any host where local users may influence privileged workflows. Mitigation focus: Inventory systems for GNU groff 1.21 and earlier.; Apply vendor or distribution groff security updates where available.; Review Mandriva or current distro guidance for package-specific fixes..

Prepared: Jun 27, 2026, 18:32 UTC (UTC+00:00)

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

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record

Severity: Unknown
CVSS: Not scored
Known Exploited: No
Published: Jun 30, 2011, 15:26 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

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Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

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