CVE-2008-0166
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random...
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random number generator that generates predictable numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force guessing attacks against cryptographic keys.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random number generator that generates predictable numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force guessing attacks against cryptographic keys.
- Record
CVE-2008-0166- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 7.8 High
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-338
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random number generator that generates predictable numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force guessing attacks against cryptographic keys.
- Record
CVE-2008-0166- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2008-0178 No score
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random number generator that generates predictable numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force guessing attacks against cryptographic keys.
- Record
EUVD-2008-0178- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-4xrg-5554-qffr
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random...
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random number generator that generates predictable numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force guessing attacks against cryptographic keys.
- Record
GHSA-4xrg-5554-qffr- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-338
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random number generator that generates predictable numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force guessing attacks against cryptographic keys.
- Record
CVE-2008-0166- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2008-0166
OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 up to versions before 0.9.8g-9 on Debian-based operating systems uses a random number generator that generates predictable numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force guessing attacks against cryptographic keys.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2008-0166- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
opensshDebian:12 |
before 4.7p1-9 | 4.7p1-9 |
opensshDebian:13 |
before 4.7p1-9 | 4.7p1-9 |
opensshDebian:14 |
before 4.7p1-9 | 4.7p1-9 |
opensslDebian:12 |
before 0.9.8g-9 | 0.9.8g-9 |
opensslDebian:13 |
before 0.9.8g-9 | 0.9.8g-9 |
opensslDebian:14 |
before 0.9.8g-9 | 0.9.8g-9 |
opensslDebian:4.0 From an advisory covering 3 CVEs |
before 0.9.8c-4etch3, plus listed versions 0.9.8c-40.9.8c-4etch10.9.8c-4etch2 |
0.9.8c-4etch3 |
opensshDebian:4.0 From an advisory covering 4 CVEs |
before 1:4.3p2-9etch2, plus listed versions 1:4.3p2-91:4.3p2-9etch1 |
1:4.3p2-9etch2 |
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB | OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 < 0.9.8g-9 (Debian and Derivatives) - Predictable PRNG Brute Force SSH | 2008-05-15 |
| Exploit-DB | OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 < 0.9.8g-9 (Debian and Derivatives) - Predictable PRNG Brute Force SSH (Ruby) | 2008-05-16 |
| Exploit-DB | OpenSSL 0.9.8c-1 < 0.9.8g-9 (Debian and Derivatives) - Predictable PRNG Brute Force SSH | 2008-06-01 |
| PoC in GitHub | g0tmi1k/debian-ssh | 2013-09-22 |
| PoC in GitHub | avarx/vulnkeys | 2018-12-31 |
| PoC in GitHub | badkeys/debianopenssl | 2022-05-15 |
| PoC in GitHub | demining/Vulnerable-to-Debian-OpenSSL-bug-CVE-2008-0166 | 2022-08-26 |
| PoC in GitHub | AhegaoPsyops/sslWeakness | 2025-09-25 |
| PoC in GitHub | FaizanAli8232/CVE-Exploit-Research-Development | 2026-03-18 |
| PoC in GitHub | QasimShahbaz21/CVE-Exploit-Research-Development | 2026-03-18 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, exploits, facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| aliases | ||
| first indexed | CVE List, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV, PoC in GitHub |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2008-0166 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in Openssl, published May 13, 2008. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 70.7%, the 99th percentile. Fixed in openssh 4.7p1-9.
References
debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1576
exploit-db.com/exploits/5622
secunia.com/advisories/30221
sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_name=48367252.7070603%40shemesh.biz&forum_name=rsyncrypto-devel
securityfocus.com/bid/29179
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ubuntu.com/usn/usn-612-7
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/42375
metasploit.com/users/hdm/tools/debian-openssl
securitytracker.com/id?1020017
us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-137A.html
kb.cert.org/vuls/id/925211
16years.secvuln.info
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40333169
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-0166
github.com/advisories/GHSA-4xrg-5554-qffr
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2008-0166