Utempter allows device names that contain .. (dot dot) directory traversal sequences, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on device names in combination with an application that trusts the utmp or wtmp files.
CVE-2004-0233
NONECVSS 0.0Weaponized
0.0
EchelonGraph verdictMonitorLow exploitation likelihood right now — keep watching.
- No confirmed exploitation signals yet
CISA-KEV: Not listedEPSS: 1%CVSS: —Exploit: NoneExposed: 0
A fix is available — apply it.
- CVSS v3
- —
- EG Score
- 0.0(none)
- EPSS
- 61.7%
- KEV
- Not listed
Published
August 18, 2004
Last Modified
June 16, 2026
References (20)
- cve@mitrehttp://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200405-05.xml
- cve@mitrehttp://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-77-1000752.1-1
- cve@mitrehttp://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2004:031
- cve@mitrehttp://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-174.html
- cve@mitrehttp://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-175.html
- cve@mitrehttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/10178
- cve@mitrehttp://www.slackware.com/security/viewer.php?l=slackware-security&y=2004&m=slackware-security.404389
- cve@mitrehttps://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/15904
- cve@mitrehttps://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10115
- cve@mitrehttps://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A979
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200405-05.xml
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-77-1000752.1-1
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2004:031
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-174.html
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-175.html
Patch Availability(2)
| Vendor / Ecosystem | Fixed in / Patch | Released | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| redhat | utempter-0:0.5.5-1.3EL.0 | 2004-05-26 | redhat |
| redhat | patch | 2004-04-30 | redhat |
Patches are aggregated from vendor advisories (Red Hat, Microsoft, Cisco, GitHub) and package ecosystems (OSV, GHSA). Multiple rows for the same upstream release have been deduplicated.
All Vendor Advisories
(2)
Every vendor that published an advisory referencing this CVE — pulled from our cve_vendor_advisories aggregation. Click any row for the vendor's original advisory page.
Publicly available exploits
(1 reference)Working exploit code is in the public domain (1 Exploit-DB entry). Defenders should treat patch urgency accordingly — public PoCs typically lead to mass-exploitation within 24-72 hours.
- Exploit-DBEDB-24027✓ verifiedFirst seen Apr 19, 2004
UTempter 0.5.x - Multiple Local Vulnerabilities
Open source ↗
Frequently asked(4)
What is CVE-2004-0233?
CVE-2004-0233 is a none vulnerability published on August 18, 2004. Utempter allows device names that contain .. (dot dot) directory traversal sequences, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on device names in combination with an application that trusts the utmp or wtmp files.
When was CVE-2004-0233 disclosed?
CVE-2004-0233 was first published in the National Vulnerability Database on August 18, 2004, with the most recent update on June 16, 2026. EchelonGraph re-ingests CVE updates from NVD on a 2-hour cycle, so this page reflects the latest published state.
Is CVE-2004-0233 actively exploited?
CVE-2004-0233 is not currently on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. FIRST EPSS estimates a 61.7% percentile likelihood of exploitation in the next 30 days — higher percentiles indicate greater predicted risk.
How do I remediate CVE-2004-0233?
Patch to the fixed version published by the affected vendor. Where vendor advisories exist for CVE-2004-0233, EchelonGraph cross-links them in the Vendor Advisories panel below — those typically contain the canonical remediation steps, fixed version numbers, and any vendor-specific mitigations.
Dependency Blast Radius
Explore the affected products and dependency analysis for CVE-2004-0233
Is Your Infrastructure Affected by CVE-2004-0233?
EchelonGraph automatically scans your cloud infrastructure and maps CVE exposure using blast radius analysis.