# CVE-2008-5031: Integer overflow in n/a

> Integer overflows in Python's expandtabs method allow attackers to cause denial of service or potentially execute code via crafted large integer inputs.

- **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 Nov 2008
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-crr2-q8mf-w298, PSF-2008-10

## What is CVE-2008-5031?

CVE-2008-5031 is a critical vulnerability in Python Python, published on 10 Nov 2008. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Multiple integer overflows in Python 2.2.3 through 2.5.1, and 2.6, allow context-dependent attackers to have an unknown impact via a large integer value in the tabsize argument to the expandtabs method, as implemented by (1) the string_expandtabs function in Objects/stringobject.c and (2) the unicode_expandtabs function in Objects/unicodeobject.c.  NOTE: this vulnerability reportedly exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2008-2315.

Weakness: CWE-189

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-5031?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Python Python.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-5031?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2008-5031 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2008-5031 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Python Python

- [CVE-2014-4650](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-4650/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-5636](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-5636/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2007-4559](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2007-4559/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-17522](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17522/): Command injection in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2026-15308](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-15308/): Incremental HTMLParser feed() allows CPU-exhaustion DoS via repeated unterminated markup declarations (high 8.7)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-5031 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-5031 is a critical vulnerability in Python Python, published on 10 Nov 2008. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2008-5031 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Python Python. 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-2008-5031/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-5031/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-5031
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5031
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-5031

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-5031/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.