How severe is CVE-2008-2540?

CVE-2008-2540 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-2540 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 8% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-2540?

CVE-2008-2540 affects Apple Safari. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-2540?

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-2008-2540 published?

CVE-2008-2540 was published on 2008-06-03 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-2540

CVE-2008-2540 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apple Safari 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-264.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 8% (94th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Apple Safari
Published: 2008-06-03
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Apple Safari on Mac OS X, and before 3.1.2 on Windows, does not prompt the user before downloading an object that has an unrecognized content type, which allows remote attackers to place malware into the (1) Desktop directory on Windows or (2) Downloads directory on Mac OS X, and subsequently allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on Windows by leveraging an untrusted search path vulnerability in (a) Internet Explorer 7 on Windows XP or (b) the SearchPath function in Windows XP, Vista, and Server 2003 and 2008, aka a "Carpet Bomb" and a "Blended Threat Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different issue than CVE-2008-1032. NOTE: Apple considers this a vulnerability only because the Microsoft products can load application libraries from the desktop and, as of 20080619, has not covered the issue in an advisory for Mac OS X.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-2540?: Apple Safari on Mac OS X, and before 3.1.2 on Windows, does not prompt the user before downloading an object that has an unrecognized content type, which allows remote attackers to place malware into the (1) Desktop directory on Windows or (2) Downloads directory on Mac OS X, and subsequently allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on Windows by leveraging an untrusted search path vulnerability in (a) Internet Explorer 7 on Windows XP or (b) the SearchPath function in Windows XP, Vista, and Server 2003 and 2008, aka a "Carpet Bomb" and a "Blended Threat Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different issue than CVE-2008-1032. NOTE: Apple considers this a vulnerability only because the Microsoft products can load application libraries from the desktop and, as of 20080619, has not covered the issue in an advisory for Mac OS X.
How severe is CVE-2008-2540?: CVE-2008-2540 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-2540 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 8% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-2540?: CVE-2008-2540 affects Apple Safari. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-2540?: 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-2008-2540 published?: CVE-2008-2540 was published on 2008-06-03 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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