CVE-2008-4250
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitThe 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…
Published Oct 23, 2008 · Updated May 21, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2008-4250 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Windows 2000 (Microsoft), Windows Server 2003 (Microsoft), Windows Server 2008 (Microsoft) and 2 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 23, 2008. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 99% 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.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
99%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2008-4250 brief as a PDF
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Description
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."
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | May 20, 2026 | Jun 3, 2026 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Oct 23, 2008 | Jun 3, 2026 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Oct 23, 2008 | Jun 3, 2026 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | May 20, 2026 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
18 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 2000Microsoft | See advisory | 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
Oct 23, 2008
Added to Industry KEV feed
Oct 23, 2008
Added to CIRCL KEV
Oct 23, 2008
Added to CISA KEV
May 20, 2026
Added to ENISA EUVD
May 20, 2026
Last updated
May 21, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
- CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
References
- advisorySSRT080164
- advisorywin-server-rpc-code-execution(46040)
- advisoryoval:org.mitre.oval:def:6093
- advisoryVU#827267
- advisory20081026 Windows RPC MS08-067 FAQ document released
FAQ
Common Questions.
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…
Affected: Windows 2000 (Microsoft); 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 CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 23, 2008.
Yes. It was added on May 20, 2026 with a federal remediation due date of Jun 3, 2026.
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.
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