CVE-2008-5424: The MimeOleClearDirtyTree function in InetComm.dll in Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.5512 does not proper

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MEDIUM 4.3WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-5424 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting outlook express. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The MimeOleClearDirtyTree function in InetComm.dll in Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.5512 does not properly handle (1) multipart/mixed e-mail messages with many MIME parts and possibly (2) e-mail messages with many "Content-type: message/rfc822;" headers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a large e-mail message, a related issue to CVE-2006-1173.

Why this priority

EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	12.3% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-399
Published	2008-12-11
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: microsoft

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-12-11 15:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

microsoft outlook express DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.00.2900.5512

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.00.2900.5512

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 6.00.2900.5512 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison outlook-express sudo apt install outlook-express=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.00.2900.5512> 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_6.00.2900.5512> 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.

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-2008-5424?

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

Is CVE-2008-5424 being exploited?

CVE-2008-5424 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-2008-5424 affect?

CVE-2008-5424 affects outlook express. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). The MimeOleClearDirtyTree function in InetComm.dll in Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.5512 does not properly handle (1) multipart/mixed e-mail messages with many MIME parts and possibly (2) e-mail messages with many "Content-type: messa

How urgent is CVE-2008-5424?

Priority 49/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Outlook vulnerabilities

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References

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