How severe is CVE-2008-3533?

CVE-2008-3533 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-3533 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-3533?

CVE-2008-3533 primarily affects Gnome Yelp. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-3533?

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-2008-3533 published?

CVE-2008-3533 was published on 2008-08-18 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-3533

CVE-2008-3533 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Gnome Yelp with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 19% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-134.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 19% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-134
Affected product: Gnome Yelp
Published: 2008-08-18
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Format string vulnerability in the window_error function in yelp-window.c in yelp in Gnome after 2.19.90 and before 2.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in an invalid URI on the command line, as demonstrated by use of yelp within (1) man or (2) ghelp URI handlers in Firefox, Evolution, and unspecified other programs.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-3533?: Format string vulnerability in the window_error function in yelp-window.c in yelp in Gnome after 2.19.90 and before 2.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in an invalid URI on the command line, as demonstrated by use of yelp within (1) man or (2) ghelp URI handlers in Firefox, Evolution, and unspecified other programs.
How severe is CVE-2008-3533?: CVE-2008-3533 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-3533 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-3533?: CVE-2008-3533 primarily affects Gnome Yelp. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-3533?: 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-2008-3533 published?: CVE-2008-3533 was published on 2008-08-18 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:gnome:yelp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:gnome:gnome:2.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:gnome:gnome:2.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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