How severe is CVE-2008-2256?

CVE-2008-2256 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-2256 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 29% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-2256?

CVE-2008-2256 primarily affects Microsoft Internet Explorer. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-2256?

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-2008-2256 published?

CVE-2008-2256 was published on 2008-08-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-2256

CVE-2008-2256 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 29% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 29% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Internet Explorer
Published: 2008-08-13
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 6, and 7 does not properly handle objects that have been incorrectly initialized or deleted, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors, aka "Uninitialized Memory Corruption Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-2256?: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 6, and 7 does not properly handle objects that have been incorrectly initialized or deleted, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors, aka "Uninitialized Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2008-2256?: CVE-2008-2256 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-2256 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 29% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-2256?: CVE-2008-2256 primarily affects Microsoft Internet Explorer. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-2256?: 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-2008-2256 published?: CVE-2008-2256 was published on 2008-08-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:5.01:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:6:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:6:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Internet Explorer

CVE-2014-1764 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code and bypass a sandbox…
CVE-2014-1763 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
CVE-2010-1118 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in Internet Explorer 8 on Microsoft Windows 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
CVE-2009-1918 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4 and 6 SP1; Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP SP2 and SP3 and Server 2003 SP2; and…
CVE-2009-1043 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
CVE-2007-3341 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in the FTP implementation in Microsoft Internet Explorer allows remote attackers to "see a…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer →

Other CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-48316 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48277 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48055 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Streambert is a cross-platform Electron Desktop App to stream and download any video media. In versions 2.4.0 and…
CVE-2026-34910 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A malicious actor with access to the network could exploit an Improper Input Validation vulnerability found in UniFi OS…
CVE-2026-33587 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lack of user input sanitisation in Open Notebook v1.8.3 allows the application user to execute Python code (and…

Browse all CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities →