How severe is CVE-2008-5186?

CVE-2008-5186 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-5186 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-5186?

CVE-2008-5186 primarily affects Geshi. In total, 32 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-5186?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2008-5186 published?

CVE-2008-5186 was published on 2008-11-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-5186

CVE-2008-5186 is a high-severity vulnerability in Geshi with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5. 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-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (78th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Geshi
Published: 2008-11-21
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The set_language_path function in geshi.php in Generic Syntax Highlighter (GeSHi) before 1.0.8.1 might allow remote attackers to conduct file inclusion attacks via crafted inputs that influence the default language path ($path variable). NOTE: this issue has been disputed by a vendor, stating that only a static value is used, so this is not a vulnerability in GeSHi. Separate CVE identifiers would be created for web applications that integrate GeSHi in a way that allows control of the default language path

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-5186?: The set_language_path function in geshi.php in Generic Syntax Highlighter (GeSHi) before 1.0.8.1 might allow remote attackers to conduct file inclusion attacks via crafted inputs that influence the default language path ($path variable). NOTE: this issue has been disputed by a vendor, stating that only a static value is used, so this is not a vulnerability in GeSHi. Separate CVE identifiers would be created for web applications that integrate GeSHi in a way that allows control of the default language path
How severe is CVE-2008-5186?: CVE-2008-5186 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2008-5186 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-5186?: CVE-2008-5186 primarily affects Geshi. In total, 32 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-5186?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2008-5186 published?: CVE-2008-5186 was published on 2008-11-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (32)

cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.2_beta_1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.12:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:geshi:geshi:1.0.7.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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