How severe is CVE-2008-2251?

CVE-2008-2251 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-2251 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-2251?

CVE-2008-2251 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-2251?

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-2008-2251 published?

CVE-2008-2251 was published on 2008-10-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-2251

CVE-2008-2251 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000 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-399.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (71st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-399
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2000
Published: 2008-10-15
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Double free vulnerability in the kernel in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, and Server 2008 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application that makes system calls within multiple threads, aka "Windows Kernel Unhandled Exception Vulnerability." NOTE: according to Microsoft, this is not a duplicate of CVE-2008-4510.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-2251?: Double free vulnerability in the kernel in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, and Server 2008 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application that makes system calls within multiple threads, aka "Windows Kernel Unhandled Exception Vulnerability." NOTE: according to Microsoft, this is not a duplicate of CVE-2008-4510.
How severe is CVE-2008-2251?: CVE-2008-2251 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2008-2251 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-2251?: CVE-2008-2251 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-2251?: 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-2008-2251 published?: CVE-2008-2251 was published on 2008-10-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp1:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp1:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x32:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*:*

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