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CVE-2008-3431 — The VBoxDrvNtDeviceControl function in VBoxDrv.sys in Sun xVM VirtualBox before 1.6.4…

Key facts

CVE-2008-3431 is a High (8.8) vulnerability: The VBoxDrvNtDeviceControl function in VBoxDrv.sys in Sun xVM VirtualBox before 1.6.4…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-03), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2008-3431 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-03), confirming exploitation in the wild. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-03-24. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2008-3431
Severity High (8.8)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2022-03-03)
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2008/CVE-2008-3431/

Details

English | 한국어

Description

The VBoxDrvNtDeviceControl function in VBoxDrv.sys in Sun xVM VirtualBox before 1.6.4 uses the METHOD_NEITHER communication method for IOCTLs and does not properly validate a buffer associated with the Irp object, which allows local users to gain privileges by opening the \.\VBoxDrv device and calling DeviceIoControl to send a crafted kernel address.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2008-3431
CVSS Score 8.8

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2008/CVE-2008-3431/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2008-3431

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

References

  • http://secunia.com/advisories/31361
  • http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4107
  • http://securitytracker.com/id?1020625
  • http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-240095-1
  • http://virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog
  • http://www.coresecurity.com/content/virtualbox-privilege-escalation-vulnerability
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/495095/100/0/threaded
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30481
  • http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2293
  • https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44202
  • https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/6218
  • http://secunia.com/advisories/31361
  • http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4107
  • http://securitytracker.com/id?1020625
  • http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-240095-1
  • http://virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog
  • http://www.coresecurity.com/content/virtualbox-privilege-escalation-vulnerability
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/495095/100/0/threaded
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30481
  • http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2293
  • https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44202
  • https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/6218
  • https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2008-3431

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-07-11T23:18:39.542517622

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-3431?

CVE-2008-3431 is a High (8.8) vulnerability: The VBoxDrvNtDeviceControl function in VBoxDrv.sys in Sun xVM VirtualBox before 1.6.4…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-03), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

How do I detect CVE-2008-3431?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2008-3431?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

Is CVE-2008-3431 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2008-3431 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2022-03-03, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-03-24. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.