MEDIUM
CVE-2008-4638
CWE-200Published: October 21, 2008· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
4.6
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
qioadmin in the Quick I/O for Database feature in Symantec Veritas File System (VxFS) on HP-UX, and before 5.0 MP3 on Solaris, Linux, and AIX, allows local users to read arbitrary files by causing qioadmin to write a file's content to standard error in an error message.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2008-4638 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.
From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-200): Information exposure vulnerabilities leak sensitive data to unauthorized actors.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityC
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
AV:L/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:N/A:N
Affected Vendors & Products
symantec1 product(s)
veritas file system
Source: NVD CPE · 2 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
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GitHub PoC Search
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Rapid7 / Metasploit
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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
All References (14)
→
http://seer.entsupport.symantec.com/docs/310872.htmPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2008.10.20.htmlPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2875Vendor Advisory
→
http://seer.entsupport.symantec.com/docs/310872.htmPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2008.10.20.htmlPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2875Vendor Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2008-4638
CVSS Score4.6 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-200
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedOct 21, 2008
Related CVEs (CWE-200)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2008-4638 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.