CVE-2008-2311

CVE-2008-2311 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.6. 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-59.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.6)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (86th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-59
• Affected product: Apple Mac Os X
• Published: 2008-07-01
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Launch Services in Apple Mac OS X before 10.5, when Open Safe Files is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack, probably related to a race condition and automatic execution of a downloaded file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-2311?

Launch Services in Apple Mac OS X before 10.5, when Open Safe Files is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack, probably related to a race condition and automatic execution of a downloaded file.

How severe is CVE-2008-2311?

CVE-2008-2311 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.6, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-2311 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-2311?

CVE-2008-2311 primarily affects Apple Mac Os X. In total, 30 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-2311?

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-2008-2311 published?

CVE-2008-2311 was published on 2008-07-01 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2008//Jun/msg00002.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/30802
• http://securitytracker.com/id?1020393
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2163
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30018
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/1981/references
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/43495

Affected products (30)

• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.4.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.4.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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