CVE-2008-0015 Microsoft Windows Video ActiveX Control Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows Video ActiveX Control contains a remote code execution vulnerability. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted Web page. When a user views the Web page, the vulnerability could allow remote code execution. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the logged-on user.
From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.
Should You Worry?
- CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 17 Feb 2026.
- Rated High severity (CVSS 8.8, scored by CISA).
- It has been in the catalogue for 262 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
What It Is
Stack-based buffer overflow in the CComVariant::ReadFromStream function in the Active Template Library (ATL), as used in the MPEG2TuneRequest ActiveX control in msvidctl.dll in DirectShow, in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, and Server 2008 Gold and SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web page, as exploited in the wild in July 2009, aka "Microsoft Video ActiveX Control Vulnerability."
What To Do Now
- 1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Microsoft Windows. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management - 2
Fix it
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Vulnerability Management - 3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response - 4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing
The Compliance Clock
General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.
Not Sure If You Are Exposed?
Our attack surface and vulnerability teams can check your internet-facing estate for CVE-2008-0015 and every other exploited flaw on the list.
Sources
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
- NVD: CVE-2008-0015
- CVE record: CVE-2008-0015
- FIRST EPSS
- web.archive.org/web/20110305211119/https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-032.mspx
- securityfocus.com/bid/35558
- us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-223A.html
- blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/08/11/ms09-037-why-we-are-using-cve-s-already-used-in-ms09-035.as
- osvdb.org/55651
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6333
- securityfocus.com/bid/35585
- secunia.com/advisories/36187
