How severe is CVE-2008-5408?

CVE-2008-5408 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-5408 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-5408?

CVE-2008-5408 primarily affects Symantec Backup Exec For Windows Server. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-5408?

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-2008-5408 published?

CVE-2008-5408 was published on 2008-12-10 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-5408

CVE-2008-5408 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Symantec Backup Exec For Windows Server with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.0. 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-119.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (91st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Symantec Backup Exec For Windows Server
Published: 2008-12-10
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Buffer overflow in the data management protocol in Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers 11.0 (aka 11d) builds 6235 and 7170, 12.0 build 1364, and 12.5 build 2213 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors. NOTE: this can be exploited by unauthenticated remote attackers by leveraging CVE-2008-5407.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-5408?: Buffer overflow in the data management protocol in Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers 11.0 (aka 11d) builds 6235 and 7170, 12.0 build 1364, and 12.5 build 2213 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors. NOTE: this can be exploited by unauthenticated remote attackers by leveraging CVE-2008-5407.
How severe is CVE-2008-5408?: CVE-2008-5408 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.0, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-5408 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-5408?: CVE-2008-5408 primarily affects Symantec Backup Exec For Windows Server. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-5408?: 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-2008-5408 published?: CVE-2008-5408 was published on 2008-12-10 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:symantec:backup_exec_for_windows_server:11d:11.0.6235:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:backup_exec_for_windows_server:11d:11.0.7170:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:backup_exec_for_windows_server:12.0:12.0.1364:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:backup_exec_for_windows_server:12.5:12.5.2213:*:*:*:*:*:*

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