CVE-2009-2939: Medium severity postfix vulnerability

Published Sep 21, 2009
·
Updated

The postfix.postinst script in the Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu postfix 2.5.5 package grants the postfix user write access to /var/spool/postfix/pid, which might allow local users to conduct symlink attacks that overwrite arbitrary files.

Affected Software

3 affected components
Postfix Postfix=2.5.5
Debian Debian Linux=6.06
Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux=4.0

Event History

Sep 21, 2009
CVE Published
via MITRE·07:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·07:00 PM
Description
Data Sourced
07:30 PM
DescriptionWeaknessAffected Software
Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2009-2939?

CVE-2009-2939 has a medium severity rating due to the potential for local users to conduct symlink attacks.

2

How do I fix CVE-2009-2939?

To fix CVE-2009-2939, upgrade to a patched version of Postfix or modify permissions to restrict write access for the postfix user.

3

Which systems are affected by CVE-2009-2939?

CVE-2009-2939 affects the Postfix package version 2.5.5 on Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu systems.

4

What are the potential exploits of CVE-2009-2939?

Exploiting CVE-2009-2939 allows local users to create symlinks that could be used to overwrite arbitrary files.

5

Is CVE-2009-2939 related to any specific software versions?

Yes, CVE-2009-2939 specifically affects Postfix version 2.5.5 in Debian and Ubuntu systems.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203