CVE-2008-1436Windows Xp Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Vista, and Server 2003 and 2008 does not properly assign activities to the (1) NetworkService and (2) LocalService accounts, which might allow context-dependent attackers to gain privileges by using one service process to capture a resource…
Published Apr 21, 2008 · Updated Apr 22, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2008-1436 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.0 v2) affecting Windows-Nt (Microsoft), Windows Server 2003 (Microsoft), Windows Server 2008 (Microsoft) and 2 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Apr 14, 2009. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 37% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Scores
CVSS v2
9.0
AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
37%
Higher than 98.4% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
44/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Apr 14, 2009
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
1
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
2
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisory29867
- advisoryADV-2008-1264
- advisoryADV-2009-1026
Description
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Vista, and Server 2003 and 2008 does not properly assign activities to the (1) NetworkService and (2) LocalService accounts, which might allow context-dependent attackers to gain privileges by using one service process to capture a resource from a second service process that has a LocalSystem privilege-escalation ability, related to improper management of the SeImpersonatePrivilege user right, as originally reported for Internet Information Services (IIS), aka Token Kidnapping.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Apr 14, 2009 | n/a | Not reported |
Affected Products
13 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows-NtMicrosoft | vista-sp1, vista-sp2 | n/a |
| Windows Server 2003Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows Server 2008Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows VistaMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows XpMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Apr 21, 2008
Added to Industry KEV feed
Apr 14, 2009
Last updated
Apr 22, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-264
References
- advisory29867
- advisoryADV-2008-1264
- advisoryADV-2009-1026
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Vista, and Server 2003 and 2008 does not properly assign activities to the (1) NetworkService and (2) LocalService accounts, which might allow context-dependent attackers to gain privileges by using one service process to capture a resource from a second service process that has…
Affected: Windows-Nt (Microsoft) versions vista-sp1, vista-sp2; Windows Server 2003 (Microsoft); Windows Server 2008 (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Apr 14, 2009.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Is CVE-2008-1436 On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense matches it against the products discovered on your perimeter and opens a finding the day a CVE like this is listed.
Request A Demo