CVE-2008-3916

CVE-2008-3916 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Gnu Ed 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-119.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (88th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-119
• Affected product: Gnu Ed
• Published: 2008-09-04
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the strip_escapes function in signal.c in GNU ed before 1.0 allows context-dependent or user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename. NOTE: since ed itself does not typically run with special privileges, this issue only crosses privilege boundaries when ed is invoked as a third-party component.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-3916?

Heap-based buffer overflow in the strip_escapes function in signal.c in GNU ed before 1.0 allows context-dependent or user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename. NOTE: since ed itself does not typically run with special privileges, this issue only crosses privilege boundaries when ed is invoked as a third-party component.

How severe is CVE-2008-3916?

CVE-2008-3916 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-3916 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (88th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-3916?

CVE-2008-3916 primarily affects Gnu Ed. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-3916?

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-2008-3916 published?

CVE-2008-3916 was published on 2008-09-04 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-ed/2008-08/msg00000.html
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2011-01/msg00006.html
• http://lists.vmware.com/pipermail/security-announce/2010/000082.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32349
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32460
• http://secunia.com/advisories/33005
• http://secunia.com/advisories/38794
• http://secunia.com/advisories/43068
• http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200809-15.xml
• http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-461.htm
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:200
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0946.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/501298/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30815
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020734
• http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0003.html
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2642
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3347
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0528
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0212
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44643
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10678
• https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2008-October/msg00847.html
• https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2008-October/msg00873.html

Affected products (8)

• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ed:0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ed:0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ed:0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ed:0.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ed:0.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ed:0.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ed:0.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ed:0.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Gnu Ed

• CVE-2017-5357 — High (CVSS 7.5): regex.c in GNU ed before 1.14.1 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a malformed command, which…
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• CVE-2000-1137 — Medium (CVSS 4.6): GNU ed before 0.2-18.1 allows local users to overwrite the files of other users via a symlink attack.

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