---
title: "CVE-2008-5031\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-2008-5031?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2008-5031

Publication date 10 November 2008

Last updated 24 July 2024

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

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

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## 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.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-5031?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| python2.4 | 9.04 jaunty | Not affected |
| 8.10 intrepid | Fixed 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.1 |
| 8.04 LTS hardy | Fixed 2.4.5-1ubuntu4.2 |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Fixed 2.4.3-0ubuntu6.3 |
| python2.5 | 9.04 jaunty | Not affected |
| 8.10 intrepid | Not affected |
| 8.04 LTS hardy | Not affected |
| 7.10 gutsy | Ignored end of life, was needed |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release |

---

* [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-2008-5031?format=md#patch-details)

## Notes

---

### [mdeslaur](https://launchpad.net/~mdeslaur)

PoC: http://scary.beasts.org/security/CESA-2008-008.html

### 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 |
| --- | --- |
| python2.4 | * Upstream:   <http://svn.python.org/view?view=rev&revision=67726> |
| python2.5 | * Upstream:   <http://svn.python.org/view?view=rev&revision=61349> * Upstream:   <http://svn.python.org/view?view=rev&revision=61350> |

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-5031)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5031)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2008-5031)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2008-5031)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-806-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-806-1)
+ Python vulnerabilities
+ 23 July 2009

### Other references

* <http://scary.beasts.org/security/CESA-2008-008.html>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-5031>