UNKNOWN CVSS 6.8
Published: 2008-12-19

CVE-2008-5078

gnu escript Security Advisory (CVE-2008-5078)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2008-5078 impacting gnu escript. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 6.8 (UNKNOWN).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
Multiple buffer overflows in the (1) recognize_eps_file function (src/psgen.c) and (2) tilde_subst function (src/util.c) in GNU enscript 1.6.1, and possibly earlier, might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an epsf escape sequence with a long filename.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product gnu / escript
Affected Versions 1.6.1
Weakness Enumeration CWE-119

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2008-5078 impacting gnu escript.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2008-5078.yaml
id: cve-2008-5078

info:
  name: gnu escript - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: unknown
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2008-5078 affecting gnu escript.
    Evaluation: Multiple buffer overflows in the (1) recognize_eps_file function (src/psgen.c) and (2) tilde_subst function (src/util.c) in GNU enscript 1.6.1, and po...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2008-5078
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
    cvss-score: 6.8
    cve-id: CVE-2008-5078
    cwe-id: CWE-119
  tags: cve,cve-2008-5078,gnu,escript,unknown

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "escript"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2008-5078.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2008-5078
# Target: gnu escript | CVSS: 6.8 (UNKNOWN)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2008-5078 (gnu escript)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against gnu escript scope (1.6.1).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2008-5078.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2008-5078
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install escript 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade escript 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update escript

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i escript 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i escript

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2008-5078 in gnu escript?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update gnu escript packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2008-5078?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2008-5078?

CVE-2008-5078 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 6.8 (UNKNOWN). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
6.8
UNKNOWN SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2008-5078
Weakness CWE-119
Vendor gnu
Product escript
Published 2008-12-19
Vector AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P