CVE-2008-7074: Format string vulnerability in MemeCode Software i.Scribe 1.88 through 2.00 before Beta9 allows remote SMTP se

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HIGH 9.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-7074 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 9.3) affecting i.scribe. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Format string vulnerability in MemeCode Software i.Scribe 1.88 through 2.00 before Beta9 allows remote SMTP servers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a server response, which is not properly handled "when displaying the signon message."

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 8%: 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	4.9% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-134
Published	2009-08-25
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: memcode

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-08-25 10:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

memcode i.scribe DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.88 · 1.89 · 1.90 · 2.00 alpha1 · 2.00 alpha2 · 2.00 alpha3 · 2.00 alpha4 · 2.00 beta10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.88

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy i.scribe || rpm -q i.scribe || i.scribe --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.88 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison i.scribe sudo apt install i.scribe=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.88> sudo apt-mark hold i.scribe

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

dnf --showduplicates list i.scribe sudo dnf downgrade i.scribe-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.88> sudo dnf versionlock add i.scribe

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: i.Scribe SMTP Client 2.00b - 'wscanf' Remote Format String (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-2008-7074?

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

Is CVE-2008-7074 being exploited?

CVE-2008-7074 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-2008-7074 affect?

CVE-2008-7074 affects i.scribe. Severity is high (CVSS 9.3). Format string vulnerability in MemeCode Software i.Scribe 1.88 through 2.00 before Beta9 allows remote SMTP servers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a server response,

How urgent is CVE-2008-7074?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

References

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