CVE-2008-5232Windows Nt Out-of-Bounds Write
Buffer overflow in the CallHTMLHelp method in the Microsoft Windows Media Services ActiveX control in nskey.dll 4.1.00.3917 in Windows Media Services on Microsoft Windows NT and 2000, and Avaya Media and Message Application servers, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
Published Nov 25, 2008 · Updated Apr 22, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2008-5232 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v2) affecting Windows 2000 (Microsoft), Windows Nt (Microsoft).
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 32% 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 public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v2
9.3
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
32%
Higher than 98.3% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
43/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
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
- advisory1020733
- advisorywindowsmediaservices-callhtmlhelp-bo(44629)
- advisory30814
Description
Buffer overflow in the CallHTMLHelp method in the Microsoft Windows Media Services ActiveX control in nskey.dll 4.1.00.3917 in Windows Media Services on Microsoft Windows NT and 2000, and Avaya Media and Message Application servers, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long argument. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
Affected Products
2 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 2000Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows NtMicrosoft | 4.0 | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Nov 25, 2008
Last updated
Apr 22, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write
References
- advisory1020733
- advisorywindowsmediaservices-callhtmlhelp-bo(44629)
- advisory30814
- exploitpacketstormsecurity.org · wms-overflow.txt
- exploitExploitDB-32294
FAQ
Common Questions.
Buffer overflow in the CallHTMLHelp method in the Microsoft Windows Media Services ActiveX control in nskey.dll 4.1.00.3917 in Windows Media Services on Microsoft Windows NT and 2000, and Avaya Media and Message Application servers, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long argument.
Affected: Windows 2000 (Microsoft); Windows Nt (Microsoft) versions 4.0. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
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 public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2008-5232 On Your Attack Surface?
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