CVE-2009-0148: Multiple buffer overflows in Cscope before 15.7a allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long str

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HIGH 9.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-0148 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 9.3) affecting cscope. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple buffer overflows in Cscope before 15.7a allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long strings in input such as (1) source-code tokens and (2) pathnames, related to integer overflows in some cases. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2004-2541.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.3 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	6.8% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2009-05-05
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cscope

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-05-05 17:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cscope cscope DOWNGRADE

Affected: 13.0 · 15.0bl2 · 15.1 · 15.3 · 15.4 · 15.5 · 15.6 · 15.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 13.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cscope sudo apt install cscope=<VERSION_BEFORE_13.0> sudo apt-mark hold cscope

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

dnf --showduplicates list cscope sudo dnf downgrade cscope-<VERSION_BEFORE_13.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cscope

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-2009-0148?

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

Is CVE-2009-0148 being exploited?

CVE-2009-0148 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-2009-0148 affect?

CVE-2009-0148 affects cscope. Severity is high (CVSS 9.3). Multiple buffer overflows in Cscope before 15.7a allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long strings in input such as (1) source-code tokens and (2) pathnames, related to integer overflows in some cases. NOTE: this issue exist

How urgent is CVE-2009-0148?

Priority 56/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited

Related CVEs

CVE-2009-1577 HIGH 9.3 UPGRADE Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the putstring function in find.c in Cscope before 15.6 allow user-ass

References

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