CVE-2008-1448: The MHTML protocol handler in a component of Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 SP2 and 6 through SP1, and Windows

This week

HIGH 7.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2008-1448 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.1) affecting outlook express, windows mail. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The MHTML protocol handler in a component of Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 SP2 and 6 through SP1, and Windows Mail, does not assign the correct Internet Explorer Security Zone to UNC share pathnames, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and read arbitrary files via an mhtml: URI in conjunction with a redirection, aka "URL Parsing Cross-Domain Information Disclosure Vulnerability."

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.1 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	26.6% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2008-08-13
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Microsoft Corporation · Vendor: microsoft

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-08-13 00:41 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:51 UTCUpdated Record last modified

microsoft outlook express DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.5 sp2 · 6.0 · 6.0 sp1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.5

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy outlook-express || rpm -q outlook-express || outlook-express --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison outlook-express sudo apt install outlook-express=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5> sudo apt-mark hold outlook-express

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list outlook-express sudo dnf downgrade outlook-express-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5> sudo dnf versionlock add outlook-express

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

microsoft windows mail MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy windows-mail || rpm -q windows-mail || windows-mail --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2008-1448?

outlook express: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; windows mail: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-1448 being exploited?

CVE-2008-1448 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2008-1448 affect?

CVE-2008-1448 affects outlook express, windows mail. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). The MHTML protocol handler in a component of Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 SP2 and 6 through SP1, and Windows Mail, does not assign the correct Internet Explorer Security Zone to UNC share pathnames, which allows remote attackers to bypass

How urgent is CVE-2008-1448?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · Outlook vulnerabilities · Internet Explorer vulnerabilities

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References

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