CVE-2008-6846: Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in avast! Linux Home Edition 1.0.5, 1.0.5-1, and 1.0.8 allow remote atta

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MEDIUM 6.8WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-6846 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.8) affecting avast antivirus. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in avast! Linux Home Edition 1.0.5, 1.0.5-1, and 1.0.8 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or execute arbitrary code via a malformed (1) ISO or (2) RPM file.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.8 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	3.7% (top 10%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2009-07-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: avast

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-07-02 10:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

avast avast antivirus DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.5 · 1.0.5-1 · 1.0.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.5

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy avast-antivirus || rpm -q avast-antivirus || avast-antivirus --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison avast-antivirus sudo apt install avast-antivirus=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.5> sudo apt-mark hold avast-antivirus

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

dnf --showduplicates list avast-antivirus sudo dnf downgrade avast-antivirus-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.5> sudo dnf versionlock add avast-antivirus

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-2008-6846?

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

Is CVE-2008-6846 being exploited?

CVE-2008-6846 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-2008-6846 affect?

CVE-2008-6846 affects avast antivirus. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.8). Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in avast! Linux Home Edition 1.0.5, 1.0.5-1, and 1.0.8 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or execute arbitrary code via a malformed (1) ISO or (2) RPM file.

How urgent is CVE-2008-6846?

Priority 51/100. On your watchlist

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References

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