CVE-2008-4190

Openswan <=2.4.12, 2.6.x<=2.6.16 - Arbitrary File Write and Code Execution via Symlink Attack

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2008-4190. PoCs published by nofame.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a symlink race condition in OpenSwan's IPSEC livetest tool to overwrite arbitrary files and execute arbitrary commands as root. It creates a FIFO pipe to exploit the delay between file creation and execution by the shell.

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.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by nofame · bashlocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/9135

This exploit leverages a symlink race condition in OpenSwan's IPSEC livetest tool to overwrite arbitrary files and execute arbitrary commands as root. It creates a FIFO pipe to exploit the delay between file creation and execution by the shell.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Racy
Target: OpenSwan 2.4.12 and earlier, 2.6.x through 2.6.16
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the system · Root execution of 'ipsec livetest'
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (15)

Core 15
Core References
Vendor Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/34472
Issue Tracking x_refsource_confirm
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=460425
Issue Tracking x_refsource_confirm
https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235770
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/30/2
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/501624/100/0/threaded
Vendor Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/34182
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/501640/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10078
Various Sources x_refsource_confirm
http://dev.gentoo.org/~rbu/security/debiantemp/openswan
Patch vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31243
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/9135
Patch vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0402.html
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/45250
Patch vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1760

Scores

EPSS 0.0112
EPSS Percentile 61.8%

Details

CWE
CWE-59
Status published
Products (31)
openswan/openswan 1.0.4
openswan/openswan 1.0.5
openswan/openswan 1.0.6
openswan/openswan 1.0.7
openswan/openswan 1.0.8
openswan/openswan 1.0.9
openswan/openswan 2.1.1
openswan/openswan 2.1.2
openswan/openswan 2.1.4
openswan/openswan 2.1.5
... and 21 more
Published Sep 24, 2008
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026