CVE-2008-1949

CVE-2008-1949 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Gnu Gnutls with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. 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-287.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 6% (92nd percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-287
• Affected product: Gnu Gnutls
• Published: 2008-05-21
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The _gnutls_recv_client_kx_message function in lib/gnutls_kx.c in libgnutls in gnutls-serv in GnuTLS before 2.2.4 continues to process Client Hello messages within a TLS message after one has already been processed, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL dereference and crash) via a TLS message containing multiple Client Hello messages, aka GNUTLS-SA-2008-1-2.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-1949?

The _gnutls_recv_client_kx_message function in lib/gnutls_kx.c in libgnutls in gnutls-serv in GnuTLS before 2.2.4 continues to process Client Hello messages within a TLS message after one has already been processed, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL dereference and crash) via a TLS message containing multiple Client Hello messages, aka GNUTLS-SA-2008-1-2.

How severe is CVE-2008-1949?

CVE-2008-1949 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-1949 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-1949?

CVE-2008-1949 primarily affects Gnu Gnutls. In total, 105 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-1949?

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

When was CVE-2008-1949 published?

CVE-2008-1949 was published on 2008-05-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://git.savannah.gnu.org/gitweb/?p=gnutls.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=bc8102405fda11ea00ca3b42acc4f4bce9d6e97b
• http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnutls-devel/2008-05/msg00051.html
• http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnutls-devel/2008-05/msg00055.html
• http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnutls-devel/2008-05/msg00060.html
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-09/msg00003.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30287
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30302
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30317
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30324
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30330
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30331
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30338
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30355
• http://secunia.com/advisories/31939
• http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200805-20.xml
• http://securityreason.com/securityalert/3902
• http://sourceforge.net/project/shownotes.php?release_id=600646&group_id=21558
• http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0174
• http://www.cert.fi/haavoittuvuudet/advisory-gnutls.html
• http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1581
• http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/252626
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:106
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/05/20/1
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/05/20/2
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/05/20/3
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0489.html
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0492.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/492282/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/492464/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/29292

Affected products (105)

• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.0.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.0.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.0.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.0.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.0.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.0.23:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.0.24:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.0.25:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.1.23:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.2.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.3.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:gnutls:1.4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Gnu Gnutls

• CVE-2008-1948 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The _gnutls_server_name_recv_params function in lib/ext_server_name.c in libgnutls in gnutls-serv in GnuTLS before…
• CVE-2021-20232 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A flaw was found in gnutls. A use after free issue in client_send_params in lib/ext/pre_shared_key.c may lead to memory…
• CVE-2021-20231 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A flaw was found in gnutls. A use after free issue in client sending key_share extension may lead to memory corruption…
• CVE-2017-5337 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in the read_attribute function in GnuTLS before 3.3.26 and 3.5.x before 3.5.8…
• CVE-2017-5336 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Stack-based buffer overflow in the cdk_pk_get_keyid function in lib/opencdk/pubkey.c in GnuTLS before 3.3.26 and 3.5.x…
• CVE-2017-5334 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Double free vulnerability in the gnutls_x509_ext_import_proxy function in GnuTLS before 3.3.26 and 3.5.x before 3.5.8…

All CVEs affecting Gnu Gnutls →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

• CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
• CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
• CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
• CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
• CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
• CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →