# CVE-2008-1801: Integer overflow in n/a

> Remote attackers can cause a crash or execute arbitrary code in rdesktop via a crafted RDP request exploiting an integer underflow.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 12 May 2008
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2008-1801, GHSA-fmmp-hrq3-7r3f, RHSA-2008:0576, RHSA-2008:0725

## What is CVE-2008-1801?

CVE-2008-1801 is a critical vulnerability in n/a, published on 12 May 2008. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Integer underflow in the iso_recv_msg function (iso.c) in rdesktop 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) request with a small length field.

Weakness: CWE-189

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-1801?

It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `rdesktop` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | All versions | 0:1.2.0-3 |
| `rdesktop-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | All versions | 0:1.2.0-3 |
| `rdesktop` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop | All versions | 0:1.2.0-3 |
| `rdesktop-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop | All versions | 0:1.2.0-3 |
| `rdesktop` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es | All versions | 0:1.2.0-3 |
| `rdesktop-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es | All versions | 0:1.2.0-3 |
| `rdesktop` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws | All versions | 0:1.2.0-3 |
| `rdesktop-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws | All versions | 0:1.2.0-3 |
| `rdesktop` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as | All versions | 0:1.3.1-9 |
| `rdesktop-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as | All versions | 0:1.3.1-9 |
| `rdesktop` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop | All versions | 0:1.3.1-9 |
| `rdesktop-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop | All versions | 0:1.3.1-9 |
| `rdesktop` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es | All versions | 0:1.3.1-9 |
| `rdesktop-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es | All versions | 0:1.3.1-9 |
| `rdesktop` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws | All versions | 0:1.3.1-9 |
| `rdesktop-debuginfo` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws | All versions | 0:1.3.1-9 |

Products: Rdesktop Rdesktop.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-1801?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2008-1801 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-1801 exists.

Public exploit code:

- rdesktop 1.5.0 - 'iso_recv_msg()' Integer Underflow (PoC) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2018-20179](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-20179/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2008-1802](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-1802/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2008-1803](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-1803/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2019-15682](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-15682/): Denial of service in RDesktop (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2018-20174](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-20174/): Information disclosure in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-1801 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-1801 is a critical vulnerability in n/a, published on 12 May 2008. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-1801 exists.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-1801/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-1801/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-1801
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-1801
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-1801

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-1801/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.