CVE-2008-6897: Multiple buffer overflows in Getleft.exe in Andres Garcia Getleft 1.2 allow remote attackers to cause a denial

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HIGH 9.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-6897 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 9.3) affecting getleft. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple buffer overflows in Getleft.exe in Andres Garcia Getleft 1.2 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long (1) "a" HTML tag; a long src attribute in (2) embed, (3) img, or (4) script tags; (5) a long background attribute in a body tag; and other unspecified tags.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.3 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.8% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2009-08-05
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: andres garcia

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-08-05 22:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

andres garcia getleft DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison getleft sudo apt install getleft=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2> sudo apt-mark hold getleft

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

dnf --showduplicates list getleft sudo dnf downgrade getleft-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2> sudo dnf versionlock add getleft

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Getleft 1.2 - Remote Buffer Overflow (PoC)

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-2008-6897?

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

Is CVE-2008-6897 being exploited?

CVE-2008-6897 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-2008-6897 affect?

CVE-2008-6897 affects getleft. Severity is high (CVSS 9.3). Multiple buffer overflows in Getleft.exe in Andres Garcia Getleft 1.2 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long (1) "a" HTML tag; a long src attribute in (2) embed, (3) img, o

How urgent is CVE-2008-6897?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

References

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