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Vulnerability record · CVE-2008-5543 · published 12 December 2008

CVE-2008-5543: Symantec antivirus improper input validation vulnerability

Symantec · Antivirus

Symantec AntiVirus (SAV) 10, when Internet Explorer 6 or 7 is used, allows remote attackers to bypass detection of malware in an HTML document by placing an MZ header (aka "EXE info") at the beginning, and modifying the filename to have (1) no extension, (2) a .txt extension, or (3) a .jpg extension, as demonstrated by a document containing a CVE-2006-5745 exploit.

9.3 CVSS 2.0 High EPSS 3.0% · top 13.4% CWE-20 · Improper input validation
9.3CVSS 2.0 base score
3.0%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
8References
16 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

Symantec AntiVirus (SAV) 10, when Internet Explorer 6 or 7 is used, allows remote attackers to bypass detection of malware in an HTML document by placing an MZ header (aka "EXE info") at the beginning, and modifying the filename to have (1) no extension, (2) a .txt extension, or (3) a .jpg extension, as demonstrated by a document containing a CVE-2006-5745 exploit.

AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4723
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/498995/100/0/threaded
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/499043/100/0/threaded
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/47435
http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4723
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/498995/100/0/threaded
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/499043/100/0/threaded
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/47435

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Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

10.0CVE-2010-0108Symantec antivirus memory buffer overflow vulnerabilityBuffer overflow in the cliproxy.objects.1 ActiveX control in the Symantec Client Proxy (CLIproxy.dll) in Symantec AntiVirus 10.0.x, 10.1.x before MR9…EPSS 19%10.0CVE-2009-1429Symantec AMS2 Intel LANDesk CBA Remote Command ExecutionThe Intel LANDesk Common Base Agent (CBA) in Symantec Alert Management System 2 (AMS2) passes crafted packet contents directly to the CreateProcessA …EPSS 88%analysed9.3CVE-2012-4953Symantec antivirus memory buffer overflow vulnerabilityThe decomposer engine in Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) 11.0, Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition 12.0, Symantec AntiVirus Corpor…EPSS 6.0%9.3CVE-2011-0688Symantec antivirus improper authentication vulnerabilityIntel Alert Management System (aka AMS or AMS2), as used in Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition (SAVCE) 10.x before 10.1 MR10, Symantec System Cente…EPSS 4.0%9.3CVE-2010-0111Symantec antivirus improper input validation vulnerabilityHDNLRSVC.EXE in the Intel Alert Handler service (aka Symantec Intel Handler service) in Intel Alert Management System (aka AMS or AMS2), as used in S…EPSS 35%9.3CVE-2009-1430Symantec Alert Management System IAO.EXE stack buffer overflowIAO.EXE in the Symantec Alert Originator Service (Alert Management System 2, shipped with System Center, AntiVirus, Client Security and Endpoint Prot…EPSS 55%analysed9.3CVE-2009-1431Symantec antivirus vulnerabilityXFR.EXE in the Intel File Transfer service in the console in Symantec Alert Management System 2 (AMS2), as used in Symantec System Center (SSS); Syma…EPSS 8.0%7.9CVE-2010-0110Symantec antivirus memory buffer overflow vulnerabilityMultiple stack-based buffer overflows in Intel Alert Management System (aka AMS or AMS2), as used in Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition (SAVCE) 10.…EPSS 5.1%

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2008-5543), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.