HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2008-4197
HIGH

CVE-2008-4197

CWE-908Published: September 27, 2008· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

8.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Opera before 9.52 on Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris, when processing custom shortcut and menu commands, can produce argument strings that contain uninitialized memory, which might allow user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or conduct other attacks via vectors related to activation of a shortcut.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2008-4197 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

freebsd1 product(s)
freebsd
Linux1 product(s)
linux kernel
Microsoft1 product(s)
windows
opera1 product(s)
opera browser
Oracle1 product(s)
solaris
Source: NVD CPE · 5 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/31549
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/32538
ADVISORYhttp://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200811-01.xml
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30768
ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020720
ADVISORYhttps://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44552
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/31549
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/32538
ADVISORYhttp://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200811-01.xml
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30768
ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020720
ADVISORYhttps://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44552

All References (30)

→
http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235298Issue Tracking
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/31549Broken Link · Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/32538Broken Link · Vendor Advisory
→
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200811-01.xmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/09/19/2Mailing List
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/09/24/4Mailing List
→
http://www.opera.com/docs/changelogs/freebsd/952/Broken Link
→
http://www.opera.com/docs/changelogs/linux/952/Broken Link
→
http://www.opera.com/docs/changelogs/solaris/952/Broken Link
→
http://www.opera.com/docs/changelogs/windows/952/Broken Link
→
http://www.opera.com/support/search/view/894/Broken Link
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30768Broken Link · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020720Broken Link · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2416Broken Link
→
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44552Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2008-4197
CVSS Score8.8 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-908
CISA KEVNo
Affected5 vendor(s)
PublishedSep 27, 2008

Related CVEs (CWE-908)

CVE-2019-14052
9.8
CVE-2019-12730
9.8
CVE-2019-9641
9.8
CVE-2019-9805
9.8
CVE-2019-0006
9.8
CVE-2020-35888
9.8

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2008-4197 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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