CVE-2008-5081
MediumPublic exploitThe originates_from_local_legacy_unicast_socket function (avahi-core/server.c) in avahi-daemon in Avahi before 0.6.24 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted mDNS packet with a source port of 0, which triggers an assertion failure.
Published Dec 17, 2008 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2008-5081, DTSA-189-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2008-5081 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 5.0 v2) affecting Avahi, rootio-avahi, avahi-compat-howl-devel (oracle) and 22 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 59% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Avahi 0:0.6.16-1.el5_2.1, Avahi 0.6.16-1.el5_2.1, Avahi 0.6.16-3etch2.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v2
5.0
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
59%
Higher than 99.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2008-5081 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
The originates_from_local_legacy_unicast_socket function (avahi-core/server.c) in avahi-daemon in Avahi before 0.6.24 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted mDNS packet with a source port of 0, which triggers an assertion failure.
Affected Products
74 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| AvahiAvahi | 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.5.1, 0.5.2, 0.6.1 | 0.6.23 |
| rootio-avahirootio | See advisory | 0.6.23-3 |
| avahi-compat-howl-develoracle | See advisory | 0.6.16-1.el5_2.1 |
| avahi-compat-howloracle | See advisory | 0.6.16-1.el5_2.1 |
| avahi-compat-libdns_sd-develoracle | See advisory | 0.6.16-1.el5_2.1 |
Patched Releases
Avahi
0:0.6.16-1.el5_2.1, 0.6.16-1.el5_2.1, 0.6.16-3etch2, 0.6.22-3+lenny1, 0.6.23-3, 0.8-7.2, 0.6.23
avahi-autoipd
0.8-7.2
avahi-compat-howl
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-compat-howl-devel
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1, 0.8-7.2
avahi-compat-libdns_sd
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-compat-libdns_sd-devel
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-compat-mDNSResponder-devel
0.8-7.2
avahi-devel
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-glib
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-glib-devel
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-lang
0.8-7.2
avahi-qt3
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-qt3-devel
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-tools
0.6.16-1.el5_2.1
avahi-utils
0.8-7.2
libavahi-client3
0.8-7.2
libavahi-client3-32bit
0.8-7.2
libavahi-common3
0.8-7.2
libavahi-common3-32bit
0.8-7.2
libavahi-core7
0.8-7.2
libavahi-devel
0.8-7.2
libavahi-libevent1
0.8-7.2
libdns_sd
0.8-7.2
libdns_sd-32bit
0.8-7.2
libhowl0
0.8-7.2
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Dec 17, 2008
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-399
References
- advisoryRHSA-2009:0013
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2008-5081
- exploitExploitDB-7520
- otherSUSE-SR:2009:003
- other33153
FAQ
Common Questions.
The originates_from_local_legacy_unicast_socket function (avahi-core/server.c) in avahi-daemon in Avahi before 0.6.24 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted mDNS packet with a source port of 0, which triggers an assertion failure.
Affected: Avahi versions 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.5.1, 0.5.2, 0.6.1; rootio-avahi; avahi-compat-howl-devel (oracle), among others. 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 Avahi 0:0.6.16-1.el5_2.1, Avahi 0.6.16-1.el5_2.1, Avahi 0.6.16-3etch2.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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