MEDIUM
CVE-2012-3440
CWE-59Published: August 8, 2012· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
5.6
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
A certain Red Hat script for sudo 1.7.2 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /var/tmp/nsswitch.conf.bak temporary file.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2012-3440 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.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityHigh
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityC
AvailabilityC
AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:N/I:C/A:C
Affected Vendors & Products
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
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NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
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All References (6)
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2012-3440
CVSS Score5.6 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-59
CISA KEVNo
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedAug 8, 2012
Related CVEs (CWE-59)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2012-3440 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.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.