Python 2.5.2 numeric error

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
6.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Python 2.5.2. It has been declared as critical. This impacts an unknown function. Executing a manipulation can lead to numeric error. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2008-1721. In addition, an exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Python 2.5.2 (Programming Language Software) and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects some unknown processing. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a numeric error vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-189. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Integer signedness error in the zlib extension module in Python 2.5.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a negative signed integer, which triggers insufficient memory allocation and a buffer overflow.

The bug was discovered 04/08/2008. The weakness was presented 04/10/2008 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at xforce.iss.net. This vulnerability was named CVE-2008-1721 since 04/10/2008. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

A public exploit has been developed in Python. It is possible to download the exploit at securityfocus.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 2 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 32070 (FreeBSD : python -- Integer Signedness Error in zlib Module (ec41c3e2-129c-11dd-bab7-0016179b2dd5)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family FreeBSD Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 116215 (Apple Mac OS X Security Update 2009-001 Not Installed (APPLE-SA-2009-02-12)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 3 weeks after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (41748), Exploit-DB (31634), Tenable (32070), SecurityFocus (BID 28715†) and OSVDB (44693†). See VDB-3868, VDB-3872, VDB-38543 and VDB-42789 for similar entries. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Numeric error
CWE: CWE-189
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Programming Language: 🔍
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Nessus ID: 32070
Nessus Name: FreeBSD : python -- Integer Signedness Error in zlib Module (ec41c3e2-129c-11dd-bab7-0016179b2dd5)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 60798
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 1551-1 (python2.4)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

04/08/2008 🔍
04/09/2008 +1 days 🔍
04/09/2008 +0 days 🔍
04/10/2008 +1 days 🔍
04/10/2008 +0 days 🔍
04/10/2008 +0 days 🔍
04/10/2008 +0 days 🔍
04/17/2008 +7 days 🔍
04/25/2008 +8 days 🔍
04/28/2008 +3 days 🔍
03/16/2015 +2513 days 🔍
12/27/2025 +3939 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: xforce.iss.net
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2008-1721 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2008-1721
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-41908

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 41748
SecurityFocus: 28715 - Python zlib Module Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Secunia: 29889
OSVDB: 44693 - CVE-2008-1721 - Python - Buffer Overflow Issue
SecurityTracker: 1019823
Vulnerability Center: 18179 - Python <=2.5.2 Zlib Extension Module Integer Signedness Error, High
Vupen: ADV-2008-1229

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/16/2015 17:00
Updated: 12/27/2025 17:34
Changes: 03/16/2015 17:00 (78), 08/08/2019 14:56 (13), 12/27/2025 17:34 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Want to know what is going to be exploited?

We predict KEV entries!