HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2008-4190
MEDIUMPOC

CVE-2008-4190

CWE-59Published: September 24, 2008· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

4.4
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The IPSEC livetest tool in Openswan 2.4.12 and earlier, and 2.6.x through 2.6.16, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files and execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on the (1) ipseclive.conn and (2) ipsec.olts.remote.log temporary files. NOTE: in many distributions and the upstream version, this tool has been disabled.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2008-4190 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2008-4190. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityM
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityP
IntegrityP
AvailabilityP
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

Affected Vendors & Products

openswan1 product(s)
openswan
xelerance1 product(s)
openswan
Source: NVD CPE · 41 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttp://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=496374
PATCHhttp://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1760
PATCHhttp://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0402.html
PATCHhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31243
PATCHhttp://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=496374
PATCHhttp://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1760
PATCHhttp://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0402.html
PATCHhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31243
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/34182
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/34472
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/34182
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/34472

All References (30)

→
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=496374Patch
→
http://dev.gentoo.org/~rbu/security/debiantemp/openswan
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/34182Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/34472Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1760Patch
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/30/2
→
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0402.htmlPatch
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/501624/100/0/threaded
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/501640/100/0/threaded
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31243Patch
→
https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235770
→
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=460425
→
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/45250
→
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10078
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/9135

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2008-4190
CVSS Score4.4 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-59
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedSep 24, 2008

Related CVEs (CWE-59)

CVE-2002-2374
10.0
CVE-2014-4480
10.0
CVE-2024-28189
10.0
CVE-2024-28185
10.0
CVE-2026-44881
9.9
CVE-2018-5225
9.9

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2008-4190 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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