CVE-2008-3623
Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in CoreGraphics in Apple Safari before 3.2 on Windows, in iPhone OS 1.0 through 2.2.1, and in iPhone OS for iPod touch 1.1 through 2.2.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted image, related to improper handling of color spaces.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Heap-based buffer overflow in CoreGraphics allows remote code execution via a crafted image with improper color space handling.
Vulnerability
A heap-based buffer overflow exists in CoreGraphics, affecting Apple Safari before version 3.2 on Windows, iPhone OS versions 1.0 through 2.2.1, and iPod touch versions 1.1 through 2.2.1 [1][2][3]. The vulnerability is triggered by a crafted image file that exploits improper handling of color spaces, leading to memory corruption.
Exploitation
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by enticing a user to view a specially crafted image, either through a web page in Safari or via other means that render the image using CoreGraphics. No authentication is required; the attacker only needs to deliver the malicious image to the target system.
Impact
Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, or cause a denial of service (application crash) [4]. This could lead to full system compromise on affected platforms.
Mitigation
Apple addressed this vulnerability in Safari 3.2 for Windows [3], iOS 3.0 for iPhone and iPod touch [1], and Security Update 2008-008 / Mac OS X v10.5.6 [2][4]. Users should update to the latest available versions. No workarounds are documented.
AI Insight generated on May 24, 2026. Synthesized from this CVE's description and the cited reference URLs; citations are validated against the source bundle.
Affected products
46cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*+ 43 more
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*range: <=3.1.2
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:0.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:0.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.0:beta:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.0:beta2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.2.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.2.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:1.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2.0.3_417.9.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2.0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2.0.4_419.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:2.0_pre:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.1:*:windows:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.2:*:windows:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.3:522.15.5:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.3:*:windows:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.4_beta:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0.4_beta:*:windows:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.0:*:windows:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:3.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:*:*:windows:*:*:*:*:*
- (no CPE)range: <3.2 (Windows)
- Range: 1.1 through 2.2.1
- Range: 1.0 through 2.2.1
Patches
0No patches discovered yet.
Vulnerability mechanics
AI mechanics synthesis has not run for this CVE yet.
References
13- support.apple.com/kb/HT3298nvdVendor Advisory
- www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-350A.htmlnvdUS Government Resource
- lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce//2008//Dec/msg00000.htmlnvd
- lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce//2008/Nov/msg00001.htmlnvd
- lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2009/Jun/msg00005.htmlnvd
- secunia.com/advisories/32706nvd
- secunia.com/advisories/33179nvd
- support.apple.com/kb/HT3338nvd
- support.apple.com/kb/HT3639nvd
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/32291nvd
- www.securitytracker.com/idnvd
- www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3444nvd
- www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1621nvd
News mentions
0No linked articles in our index yet.