How severe is CVE-2008-0008?

CVE-2008-0008 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-0008 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (42nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-0008?

CVE-2008-0008 primarily affects Pulseaudio. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-0008?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2008-0008 published?

CVE-2008-0008 was published on 2008-01-29 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-0008

CVE-2008-0008 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pulseaudio with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (42nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Pulseaudio
Published: 2008-01-29
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The pa_drop_root function in PulseAudio 0.9.8, and a certain 0.9.9 build, does not check return values from (1) setresuid, (2) setreuid, (3) setuid, and (4) seteuid calls when attempting to drop privileges, which might allow local users to gain privileges by causing those calls to fail via attacks such as resource exhaustion.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-0008?: The pa_drop_root function in PulseAudio 0.9.8, and a certain 0.9.9 build, does not check return values from (1) setresuid, (2) setreuid, (3) setuid, and (4) seteuid calls when attempting to drop privileges, which might allow local users to gain privileges by causing those calls to fail via attacks such as resource exhaustion.
How severe is CVE-2008-0008?: CVE-2008-0008 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2008-0008 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (42nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-0008?: CVE-2008-0008 primarily affects Pulseaudio. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-0008?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2008-0008 published?: CVE-2008-0008 was published on 2008-01-29 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:pulseaudio:pulseaudio:0.9.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulseaudio:pulseaudio:0.9.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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