CVE-2008-5050: Off-by-one error in the get_unicode_name function (libclamav/vba_extract.c) in Clam Anti-Virus (ClamAV) before

Q: How do I fix CVE-2008-5050?

clamav: upgrade to newer than 0.94. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2008-5050 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5050 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2008-5050 affect?

CVE-2008-5050 affects clamav. Severity is high (CVSS 9.3). Off-by-one error in the get_unicode_name function (libclamav/vba_extract.c) in Clam Anti-Virus (ClamAV) before 0.94.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted VBA project

Q: How urgent is CVE-2008-5050?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

HIGH 9.3UPGRADE

CVE-2008-5050 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 9.3) affecting clamav. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Off-by-one error in the get_unicode_name function (libclamav/vba_extract.c) in Clam Anti-Virus (ClamAV) before 0.94.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted VBA project file, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.3 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	8.3% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2008-11-13
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: clam anti-virus

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-11-13 02:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

clam anti-virus clamav UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.94 · 0.01 · 0.02 · 0.03 · 0.04 · 0.05 · 0.06 · 0.10

Fixed in: newer than 0.94

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy clamav || rpm -q clamav || clamav --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.94 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade clamav

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade clamav

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2008-5050?

clamav: upgrade to newer than 0.94. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-5050 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5050 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-2008-5050 affect?

CVE-2008-5050 affects clamav. Severity is high (CVSS 9.3). Off-by-one error in the get_unicode_name function (libclamav/vba_extract.c) in Clam Anti-Virus (ClamAV) before 0.94.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted VBA project

How urgent is CVE-2008-5050?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

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References

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