How severe is CVE-2008-3021?

CVE-2008-3021 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-3021 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 36% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-3021?

CVE-2008-3021 primarily affects Microsoft Office. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-3021?

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-2008-3021 published?

CVE-2008-3021 was published on 2008-08-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-3021

CVE-2008-3021 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Office with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 36% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-399.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 36% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-399
Affected product: Microsoft Office
Published: 2008-08-12
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Microsoft Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, and 2003 SP2; Office Converter Pack; and Works 8 do not properly parse the length of a PICT file, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PICT file with an invalid bits_per_pixel field, aka the "PICT Filter Parsing Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-3018.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-3021?: Microsoft Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, and 2003 SP2; Office Converter Pack; and Works 8 do not properly parse the length of a PICT file, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PICT file with an invalid bits_per_pixel field, aka the "PICT Filter Parsing Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-3018.
How severe is CVE-2008-3021?: CVE-2008-3021 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-3021 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 36% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-3021?: CVE-2008-3021 primarily affects Microsoft Office. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-3021?: 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-2008-3021 published?: CVE-2008-3021 was published on 2008-08-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2000:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2003:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:xp:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office_converter_pack:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:works:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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CVE-2015-0335 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.277 and 14.x through 17.x before 17.0.0.134 on Windows and OS X and before…
CVE-2015-0333 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.277 and 14.x through 17.x before 17.0.0.134 on Windows and OS X and before…
CVE-2014-4121 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4, 4.5, 4.5.1, and 4.5.2 does not properly parse internationalized…
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