# CVE-2008-3641: Memory corruption in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on CUPS servers by sending crafted HPGL print jobs that trigger memory corruption.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/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:** 10 Oct 2008
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2008-3641, GHSA-6fwg-7777-r73j

## What is CVE-2008-3641?

CVE-2008-3641 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Cups, published on 10 Oct 2008. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (HPGL) filter in CUPS before 1.3.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted pen width and pen color opcodes that overwrite arbitrary memory.

Weakness: CWE-399

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-3641?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apple Cups.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-3641?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2008-3641 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-3641 exists.

Public exploit code:

- CUPS 1.3.7 - 'HP-GL/2' Filter Remote Code Execution (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Apple Cups

- [CVE-2008-5184](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-5184/): Cross-site request forgery in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2008-0053](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-0053/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2012-6094](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-6094/): Missing authorization in cups (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2010-2941](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-2941/): Use after free in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2004-2154](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2154/): Security feature bypass in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-3641 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-3641 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Cups, published on 10 Oct 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-2008-3641 exists.

Affected product: Apple Cups. 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-2008-3641/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3641/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-3641
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3641
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-3641

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3641/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.