---
title: "CVE-2008-4577\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-4577?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2008-4577

Publication date 15 October 2008

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**7.5 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-4577?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

The ACL plugin in Dovecot before 1.1.4 treats negative access rights as if
they are positive access rights, which allows attackers to bypass intended
access restrictions.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| dovecot | 9.04 jaunty | Not affected |
| 8.10 intrepid | Not affected |
| 8.04 LTS hardy | Fixed 1:1.0.10-1ubuntu5.2 |
| 7.10 gutsy | Ignored end of life, was needed |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Not affected |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)
* [Patch details](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-4577?format=md#patch-details)

### Patch details

For informational purposes only. We recommend not to cherry-pick updates. [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)

| Package | Patch details |
| --- | --- |
| dovecot | * Other:   <http://hg.dovecot.org/dovecot-1.0/rev/2dc3a5678fe5> |

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

7.5 · High

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | None |
  | Availability impact | None |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 7.5 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4577)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-4577)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2008-4577)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2008-4577)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-838-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-838-1)
+ Dovecot vulnerabilities
+ 28 September 2009

### Other references

* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-4577>