CVE-2009-3008: K-Meleon 1.5.3 allows context-dependent attackers to spoof the address bar, via window.open with a relative UR

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-3008 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting k-meleon. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

K-Meleon 1.5.3 allows context-dependent attackers to spoof the address bar, via window.open with a relative URI, to show an arbitrary file: URL after a victim has visited any file: URL, as demonstrated by a visit to a file: document written by the attacker.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 44%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2009-08-28
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: christophe thibault

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-08-28 15:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

christophe thibault k-meleon DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.5.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.5.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy k-meleon || rpm -q k-meleon || k-meleon --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.5.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison k-meleon sudo apt install k-meleon=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5.3> sudo apt-mark hold k-meleon

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

dnf --showduplicates list k-meleon sudo dnf downgrade k-meleon-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5.3> sudo dnf versionlock add k-meleon

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-2009-3008?

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

Is CVE-2009-3008 being exploited?

CVE-2009-3008 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-2009-3008 affect?

CVE-2009-3008 affects k-meleon. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). K-Meleon 1.5.3 allows context-dependent attackers to spoof the address bar, via window.open with a relative URI, to show an arbitrary file: URL after a victim has visited any file: URL, as demonstrated by a visit to a file: document written

How urgent is CVE-2009-3008?

Priority 34/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2009-0689 MEDIUM 6.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Array index error in the (1) dtoa implementation in dtoa.c (aka pdtoa.c) and the (2) gdtoa (aka new dtoa) impl

References

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