CVE-2008-4478

CVE-2008-4478 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Novell Edirectory with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. 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-189.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 10% (95th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-189
• Affected product: Novell Edirectory
• Published: 2008-10-14
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Multiple integer overflows in dhost.exe in Novell eDirectory 8.8 before 8.8.3, and 8.73 before 8.7.3.10 ftf1, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) Content-Length header in a SOAP request or (2) Netware Core Protocol opcode 0x0F message, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-4478?

Multiple integer overflows in dhost.exe in Novell eDirectory 8.8 before 8.8.3, and 8.73 before 8.7.3.10 ftf1, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) Content-Length header in a SOAP request or (2) Netware Core Protocol opcode 0x0F message, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.

How severe is CVE-2008-4478?

CVE-2008-4478 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-4478 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 10% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-4478?

CVE-2008-4478 primarily affects Novell Edirectory. In total, 27 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-4478?

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-2008-4478 published?

CVE-2008-4478 was published on 2008-10-14 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://secunia.com/advisories/32111
• http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4406
• http://support.novell.com/docs/Readmes/InfoDocument/patchbuilder/readme_5037180.html
• http://support.novell.com/docs/Readmes/InfoDocument/patchbuilder/readme_5037181.html
• http://www.novell.com/support/php/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=7000087&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_TID_1_1&dialogID=78066829&stateId=0%200%2078062953
• http://www.novell.com/support/php/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=7001184&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_TID_1_1&dialogID=78066829&stateId=0%200%2078062953
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/497163/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/497165/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020989
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020990
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2738
• http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-08-063
• http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-08-065
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/45628

Affected products (27)

• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.1:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.3.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.3.8_presp9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.3.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.3.9:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.3.9:*:solaris:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.3.9:*:windows_2000:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.7.3.9:*:windows_2003:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8:*:solaris:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8:*:windows_2000:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8:*:windows_2003:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.1:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.1:*:solaris:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.1:*:windows_2000:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.1:*:windows_2003:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.2:*:linux:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.2:*:solaris:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.2:*:windows_2000:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:novell:edirectory:8.8.2:*:windows_2003:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Novell Edirectory

• CVE-2009-0895 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Integer overflow in Novell eDirectory 8.7.3.x before 8.7.3.10 ftf2 and 8.8.x before 8.8.5.2 allows remote attackers to…
• CVE-2008-5094 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Heap-based buffer overflow in the NDS Service in Novell eDirectory before 8.8 SP3 has unknown impact and attack vectors.
• CVE-2008-5092 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Heap-based buffer overflows in Novell eDirectory HTTP protocol stack (HTTPSTK) before 8.8 SP3 have unknown impact and…
• CVE-2008-5091 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in the LDAP Service in Novell eDirectory 8.7.3 before SP10a and 8.8 before SP3 allows attackers to…
• CVE-2008-4480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Heap-based buffer overflow in dhost.exe in Novell eDirectory 8.x before 8.8.3, and 8.7.3 before 8.7.3.10 ftf1, allows…
• CVE-2008-4479 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Heap-based buffer overflow in dhost.exe in Novell eDirectory 8.8 before 8.8.3, and 8.7.3 before 8.7.3.10 ftf1, allows…

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