CVE-2008-2540

9.3 HIGH 8% exploit odds Fix listed Code execution Browser & mail

What it is

Apple Safari on Mac OS X, and before 3.1.2 on Windows, does not prompt the user before downloading an object that has an unrecognized content type, which allows remote attackers to place malware into the (1) Desktop directory on Windows or (2) Downloads directory on Mac OS X, and subsequently allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on Windows by leveraging an untrusted search path vulnerability in (a) Internet Explorer 7 on Windows XP or (b) the SearchPath function in Windows XP, Vista, and Server 2003 and 2008, aka a "Carpet Bomb" and a "Blended Threat Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different issue than CVE-2008-1032. NOTE: Apple considers this a vulnerability only because the Microsoft products can load application libraries from the desktop and, as of 20080619, has not covered the issue in an advisory for Mac OS X.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 8.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2008-06-03 15:32 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-16 22:53 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 8.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 9.3 HIGH (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2008-06-03 15:32 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-16 22:53 UTC
Exploit probability: 8.3% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-264
Record status: Modified

Affected

Apple Safari < 3.1.2

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 9.3

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Medium
Authentication: None
Confidentiality: Complete
Integrity: Complete
Availability: Complete

Raw vector

AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2008-2540.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2008-2540. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record