Integer signedness error in the zlib extension module in Python 2.5.2 and earlier allows…
Priority MEDIUM 53CWE-681Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- — Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Partial · Partial · Partial
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.22621 97th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 2 advisories
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 6
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.4.0 to before 2.4.6; 2.5.0 – 2.5.2 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:6.06:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.06 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:7.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:7.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.10 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:8.04:*:*:*:-:*:*:* | 8.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.4.0 to before 2.4.6; 2.5.0 – 2.5.2 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:6.06:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.06 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:7.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:7.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.10 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:8.04:*:*:*:-:*:*:* Versions 8.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
Remediation
Red Hat 2 advisories
- RHSA-2009:1177 Released 2009-07-27 · Red Hat rating Moderatepython security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2, python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2.i386, python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2.ia64 +17
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2, python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2.i386, python-devel-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2 +7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2, python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2.i386, python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2.ia64 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2, python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2.i386, python-2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2.ia64 +12
- RHSA-2009:1176 Released 2009-07-27 · Red Hat rating Moderatepython security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) python-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6, python-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6.i386, python-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6.ia64 +13
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) python-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6, python-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6.i386, python-tools-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6 +3
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Workstation (v. 5 client) python-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6, python-devel-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6, python-devel-2.4.3-24.el5_3.6.i386
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) | Fixed | RHSA-2009:1176 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 | Fixed | RHSA-2009:1177 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) | Fixed | RHSA-2009:1176 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Workstation (v. 5 client) | Fixed | RHSA-2009:1176 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 | Fixed | RHSA-2009:1177 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 | Fixed | RHSA-2009:1177 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 | Fixed | RHSA-2009:1177 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2008-1721
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-3hc2-c7c2-f785
References
Exploit 1
Advisory 13
- GLSA-200807-01
- MDVSA-2008:085
- DSA-1551
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3438
- APPLE-SA-2009-02-12
- USN-632-1
- http://bugs.python.org/issue2586
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:8249
- http://support.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100074697
- DSA-1620
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9407
- SSA:2008-217-01
Sources
- CVE-2008-1721 · CVE Program
- CVE-2008-1721 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-3hc2-c7c2-f785 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2008-1721 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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