CVE-2008-3431

Name: CVE-2008-3431
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2008-08-05T19:41:00+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 6.93%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2008-3431 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The VBoxDrvNtDeviceControl function in VBoxDrv.sys in Sun xVM VirtualBox before 1.6.4 uses the METHOD_NEITHER communication method for IOCTLs and does not properly validate a buffer associated with the Irp object, which allows local users to gain privileges by opening the \\.\VBoxDrv device and calling DeviceIoControl to send a crafted kernel address.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 6.93% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The VBoxDrvNtDeviceControl function in VBoxDrv.sys in Sun xVM VirtualBox before 1.6.4 uses the METHOD_NEITHER communication method for IOCTLs and does not properly validate a buffer associated with the Irp object, which allows local users to gain privileges by opening the \\.\VBoxDrv device and calling DeviceIoControl to send a crafted kernel address.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

6.93%

93.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Mar 24, 2022.

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Oracle	Virtualbox	< 1.6.4

References

http://secunia.com/advisories/31361Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4107Broken Link
http://securitytracker.com/id?1020625Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-240095-1Broken Link
http://virtualbox.org/wiki/ChangelogProduct
http://www.coresecurity.com/content/virtualbox-privilege-escalation-vulnerabilityExploit, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/495095/100/0/threadedBroken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30481Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2293Broken Link
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44202Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/6218Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://secunia.com/advisories/31361Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4107Broken Link
http://securitytracker.com/id?1020625Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-240095-1Broken Link
http://virtualbox.org/wiki/ChangelogProduct
http://www.coresecurity.com/content/virtualbox-privilege-escalation-vulnerabilityExploit, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/495095/100/0/threadedBroken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30481Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2293Broken Link
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44202Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/6218Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2008-3431US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Aug 5, 2008
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2008-3431?

How severe is CVE-2008-3431?

CVE-2008-3431 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 6.93% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2008-3431?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2008-3431?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST