CVE-2008-5036Vlc Media Player Memory Corruption
Stack-based buffer overflow in VideoLAN VLC media player 0.9.x before 0.9.6 might allow user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via an an invalid RealText (rt) subtitle file, related to the ParseRealText function in modules/demux/subtitle.c.
Published Nov 10, 2008 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2008-5036
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2008-5036 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v2) affecting Vlc Media Player (Videolan), vlc (debian).
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 41% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including vlc 1.0.3-1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v2
9.3
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
41%
Higher than 98.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Weaponized
ATLAS score
58/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Weaponized
Public exploit code
3
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
1
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in VideoLAN VLC media player 0.9.x before 0.9.6 might allow user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via an an invalid RealText (rt) subtitle file, related to the ParseRealText function in modules/demux/subtitle.c. NOTE: this issue was SPLIT from CVE-2008-5032 on 20081110.
Affected Products
18 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Vlc Media PlayerVideolan | 0.9, 0.9.0, 0.9.1, 0.9.2, 0.9.3, 0.9.4, 0.9.5 | n/a |
| vlcdebian | See advisory | 1.0.3-1 |
Patched Releases
vlc
1.0.3-1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Nov 10, 2008
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
References
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2008-5036
- exploitMSF vlc_realtext.rb
- exploitExploitDB-18548
- exploitExploitDB-7051
- exploittrapkit.de · TKADV2008-011.txt
FAQ
Common Questions.
Stack-based buffer overflow in VideoLAN VLC media player 0.9.x before 0.9.6 might allow user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via an an invalid RealText (rt) subtitle file, related to the ParseRealText function in modules/demux/subtitle.c.
Affected: Vlc Media Player (Videolan) versions 0.9, 0.9.0, 0.9.1, 0.9.2, 0.9.3, 0.9.4, 0.9.5; vlc (debian). The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including vlc 1.0.3-1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2008-5036 On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense matches it against the products discovered on your perimeter and opens a finding the day a CVE like this is listed.
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