CVE-2008-4250 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Server service in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, Server 2008, and 7 Pre-Beta allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted RPC request that triggers the overflow during path canonicalization, as exploited in the wild by Gimmiv.A in October 2008, aka "Server Service Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2026
The CVE-2008-4250 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Microsoft Windows Server service that has been classified under CWE-121 as a 'Stack-based Buffer Overflow'. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, Server 2008, and Windows 7 Pre-Beta releases. The flaw occurs during the path canonicalization process when processing Remote Procedure Call (RPC) requests, making it particularly dangerous as it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication. The vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild by the Gimmiv.A malware family in October 2008, demonstrating its real-world impact and the urgency of addressing such security gaps.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves a stack-based buffer overflow that occurs when the Server service processes a specially crafted RPC request containing a maliciously formatted UNC (Universal Naming Convention) path. During the canonicalization process, which converts relative paths to absolute paths, the service fails to properly validate the length of input strings, causing a buffer overflow that can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the SYSTEM account, effectively providing complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the network level through the Server service port 445, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring local access or credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4250 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to entire networks through a single vulnerable system. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows for persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within network environments. The attack vector through RPC requests makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where file sharing services are commonly enabled, as the vulnerability can be exploited from any network location without requiring additional reconnaissance. The exploitation typically results in immediate system compromise with no user interaction required, making it a preferred target for automated malware campaigns and nation-state attacks. Organizations with unpatched systems became vulnerable to widespread compromise, as the vulnerability affected multiple Windows versions simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4250 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and network segmentation. Microsoft released security update MS08-067 to address this vulnerability, which should be deployed immediately across all affected systems. Network-level protections include disabling the Server service where possible, blocking traffic on port 445, and implementing firewall rules to restrict access to vulnerable systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, highlighting the need for robust service hardening and regular security assessments. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious RPC traffic patterns and maintain up-to-date vulnerability scanning to identify unpatched systems. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege, as the exploitation requires minimal attacker capabilities to achieve maximum system compromise.