CVE-2008-5103 json
The (1) python-vm-builder and (2) ubuntu-vm-builder implementations in VMBuilder 0.9 in Ubuntu 8.10 omit the -e option when invoking chpass…
published 2008-11-17 17 y ago modified 2026-06-16 4 mo ago also EUVD-2008-5082
- cvss
- 7.2
- version 2.0, NVD
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 0.5%
- EPSS 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 40%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
The (1) python-vm-builder and (2) ubuntu-vm-builder implementations in VMBuilder 0.9 in Ubuntu 8.10 omit the -e option when invoking chpasswd with a root:! argument, which configures the root account with a cleartext password of ! (exclamation point) and allows attackers to bypass intended login restrictions.
Patch / fix
- securityfocus.com/bid/32292 patch
- secunia.com/advisories/32697 advisory
Exploit prediction
0.47% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 40% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
Exploits and checks
- launchpadlibrarian.net http://launchpadlibrarian.net/19619929/vm-builder_0.9-0ubuntu3.1.debdiff referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVD | 2.0 | 7.2 | AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C |
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-255 Credentials Management Errors
References
-
secunia.com
/advisories/32697
third-party-advisory, patch, vendor-advisory
-
securityfocus.com
/bid/32292
vdb-entry, patch
-
launchpadlibrarian.net
/19619929/vm-builder_0.9-0ubuntu3.1.debdiff
exploit
-
ubuntu.com
/usn/usn-670-1
vendor-advisory
-
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com
/vulnerabilities/46603
vdb-entry
- bugs.launchpad.net /ubuntu/+source/vm-builder/+bug/296841
-
osvdb.org
/49996
vdb-entry
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2008-5103
- NVD CVE-2008-5103
Fencer Vulns keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.