HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2008-5031
CRITICAL

CVE-2008-5031

CWE-189Published: November 10, 2008· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

10.0
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Multiple integer overflows in Python 2.2.3 through 2.5.1, and 2.6, allow context-dependent attackers to have an unknown impact via a large integer value in the tabsize argument to the expandtabs method, as implemented by (1) the string_expandtabs function in Objects/stringobject.c and (2) the unicode_expandtabs function in Objects/unicodeobject.c. NOTE: this vulnerability reportedly exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2008-2315.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2008-5031 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityC
IntegrityC
AvailabilityC
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

Affected Vendors & Products

Python1 product(s)
python
Source: NVD CPE · 4 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/33937
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/35750
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/37471
ADVISORYhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3316
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/33937
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/35750
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/37471
ADVISORYhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3316

All References (36)

→
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2009/Feb/msg00000.html
→
http://scary.beasts.org/security/CESA-2008-008.html
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/33937Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/35750Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/37471Vendor Advisory
→
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200907-16.xml
→
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3438
→
http://svn.python.org/view/python/trunk/Objects/stringobject.c?rev=61350&view=diff&r1=61350&r2=61349&p1=python/trunk/Objects/stringobject.c&p2=/python/trunk/Objects/stringobject.c
→
http://svn.python.org/view/python/trunk/Objects/unicodeobject.c?rev=61350&view=diff&r1=61350&r2=61349&p1=python/trunk/Objects/unicodeobject.c&p2=/python/trunk/Objects/unicodeobject.c
→
http://svn.python.org/view?rev=61350&view=rev
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/11/05/2
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/11/05/3
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507985/100/0/threaded
→
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html
→
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3316Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2008-5031
CVSS Score10.0 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-189
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 10, 2008

Related CVEs (CWE-189)

CVE-2007-4351
10.0
CVE-2007-6355
10.0
CVE-2006-5940
10.0
CVE-2007-4219
10.0
CVE-2007-5902
10.0
CVE-2008-0122
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2008-5031 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.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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