Microsoft Windows ActiveX Control wmex.dll first memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows. It has been rated as critical. This affects an unknown function in the library wmex.dll of the component ActiveX Control. Performing a manipulation of the argument first results in memory corruption. This vulnerability was named CVE-2008-3008. In addition, an exploit is available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows (Operating System) (version unknown). It has been classified as very critical. This affects an unknown function in the library wmex.dll of the component ActiveX Control. The manipulation of the argument first with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Stack-based buffer overflow in the WMEncProfileManager ActiveX control in wmex.dll in Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9 Series allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long first argument to the GetDetailsString method, aka "Windows Media Encoder Buffer Overrun Vulnerability."

The bug was discovered 09/09/2008. The weakness was presented 09/10/2008 by ERNE (Website). The advisory is shared at us-cert.gov. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2008-3008 since 07/07/2008. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details and a public exploit are known. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 05/26/2025).

The exploit is shared for download at securityfocus.com. It is declared as highly functional. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $100k and more. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 34121 (MS08-053: Vulnerability in Windows Media Encoder 9 Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954156)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 115935 (Windows Media Encoder 9 Could Allow Remote Code Execution (MS08-053)).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 6288.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (44703), Exploit-DB (6454), Tenable (34121), SecurityFocus (BID 31065†) and OSVDB (47962†). See VDB-43957, VDB-43956, VDB-43955 and VDB-43954 for similar entries. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Highly functional
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 34121
Nessus Name: MS08-053: Vulnerability in Windows Media Encoder 9 Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954156)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 900044
OpenVAS Name: Windows Media Encoder 9 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (954156)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Saint ID: exploit_info/windows_media_encoder_wmex
Saint Name: Windows Media Encoder 9 wmex.dll ActiveX buffer overflow

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

MetaSploit ID: ms08_053_mediaencoder.rb
MetaSploit Name: Windows Media Encoder 9 wmex.dll ActiveX Buffer Overflow
MetaSploit File: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

PaloAlto IPS: 🔍
Fortigate IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

07/07/2008 🔍
09/09/2008 +64 days 🔍
09/09/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/09/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/09/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/09/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/10/2008 +1 days 🔍
09/10/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/10/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/10/2008 +0 days 🔍
03/17/2015 +2379 days 🔍
05/26/2025 +3723 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: us-cert.gov
Researcher: ERNE
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2008-3008 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2008-3008
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-43953

OVAL: 🔍
IAVM: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 44703
SecurityFocus: 31065 - Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9 'wmex.dll' ActiveX Control Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
OSVDB: 47962 - CVE-2008-3008 - MS08-053 - Microsoft - Windows - Buffer Overflow Issue
SecurityTracker: 1020832
Vulnerability Center: 19423 - [MS08-053] Windows Media Encoder WMEX.DLL Error Allows Remote Code Execution and DoS, Medium
Vupen: ADV-2008-2521

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/17/2015 16:11
Updated: 05/26/2025 23:33
Changes: 03/17/2015 16:11 (94), 08/16/2019 16:58 (7), 11/04/2024 06:41 (16), 01/25/2025 18:55 (1), 05/26/2025 23:33 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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