# CVE-2008-3863: Memory corruption in n/a

> A stack-based buffer overflow in GNU Enscript allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted file when special escapes processing is enabled.

- **Severity:** High 7.6 (`AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 23 Oct 2008
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2008-3863, GHSA-wp92-87r8-55v9, openSUSE-SU-2024:10737-1

## What is CVE-2008-3863?

CVE-2008-3863 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in n/a, published on 23 Oct 2008. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the read_special_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU Enscript 1.6.1 and 1.6.4 beta, when the -e (aka special escapes processing) option is enabled, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ASCII file, related to the setfilename command.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-3863?

It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `enscript` | openSUSE:Tumbleweed | All versions | 1.6.6-1.15 |

Products: Gnu Enscript.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-3863?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2008-3863 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2008-3863 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2004-1185](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-1185/): Command injection in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2004-1186](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-1186/): Memory corruption in n/a (medium 5.0)
- [CVE-2004-1184](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-1184/): Command injection in n/a (medium 4.6)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-3863 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-3863 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in n/a, published on 23 Oct 2008. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2008-3863 in the wild and no public exploit code.

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-2008-3863/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3863/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-3863
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3863
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-3863

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3863/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.