---
title: "CVE-2008-2108\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-2108?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2008-2108

Publication date 7 May 2008

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**9.8 · Critical**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-2108?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

The GENERATE\_SEED macro in PHP 4.x before 4.4.8 and 5.x before 5.2.5, when
running on 64-bit systems, performs a multiplication that generates a
portion of zero bits during conversion due to insufficient precision, which
produces 24 bits of entropy and simplifies brute force attacks against
protection mechanisms that use the rand and mt\_rand functions.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| php5 | 8.04 LTS hardy | Fixed 5.2.4-2ubuntu5.3 |
| 7.10 gutsy | Fixed 5.2.3-1ubuntu6.4 |
| 7.04 feisty | Fixed 5.2.1-0ubuntu1.6 |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Fixed 5.1.2-1ubuntu3.12 |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)
* [Patch details](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-2108?format=md#patch-details)

### Patch details

For informational purposes only. We recommend not to cherry-pick updates. [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)

| Package | Patch details |
| --- | --- |
| php5 | * Vendor:   <http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:125> |

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

9.8 · Critical

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 9.8 · Critical |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

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

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-2108)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-2108)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2008-2108)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2008-2108)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-628-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-628-1)
+ PHP vulnerabilities
+ 23 July 2008

### Other references

* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-2108>