CVE-2008-1898

EXPLOITED

Microsoft Office and Works - Remote Code Execution via WkImgSrv.dll WksPictureInterface Property

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2008-1898 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 4 public exploits from researchers including Metasploit, lhoang8500, Shennan Wang, including a Metasploit module exploits/windows/fileformat/msworks_wkspictureinterface.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a vulnerability in Microsoft Works 7 WkImgSrv.dll ActiveX control by passing a negative integer to the WksPictureInterface method, leading to arbitrary code execution. It generates an HTML file with embedded JavaScript to trigger the exploit.

Description

A certain ActiveX control in WkImgSrv.dll 7.03.0616.0, as distributed in Microsoft Works 7 and Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (browser crash) via an invalid WksPictureInterface property value, which triggers an improper function call.

Exploits (4)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16649

This exploit targets a vulnerability in Microsoft Works 7 WkImgSrv.dll ActiveX control by passing a negative integer to the WksPictureInterface method, leading to arbitrary code execution. It generates an HTML file with embedded JavaScript to trigger the exploit.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Works 7 WkImgSrv.dll ActiveX control
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open the malicious HTML file in a vulnerable browser
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by lhoang8500 · htmlremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/5530

This exploit targets a memory corruption vulnerability in WKsPictureInterface method of wkimgsrv.dll, leveraging heap spraying to execute arbitrary shellcode. It uses a carefully crafted memory layout to bypass NULL checks and redirect execution flow.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Office Suite (2003, 2007) with wkimgsrv.dll
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a malicious webpage · Target system must have vulnerable wkimgsrv.dll
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Shennan Wang · htmldoswindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/5460

This exploit targets a vulnerability in Microsoft Works 7 by manipulating the WksPictureInterface property of an ActiveX object, leading to a crash (DoS). The PoC uses JavaScript to trigger the vulnerability via an HTML page.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Works 7
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open the malicious HTML file in a browser with the vulnerable ActiveX control installed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC LOW
rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/fileformat/msworks_wkspictureinterface.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a vulnerability in Microsoft Works 7 WkImgSrv.dll ActiveX control by passing a negative integer to the WKsPictureInterface method, leading to arbitrary code execution. The exploit generates an HTML file with obfuscated JavaScript to trigger the vulnerability and execute shellcode.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Works 7 WkImgSrv.dll ActiveX control
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open the malicious HTML file in a vulnerable browser with the ActiveX control installed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (7)

Core 7
Core References
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/5530
Exploit vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/28820
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/491027/100/0/threaded
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/5460
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/41876

Scores

EPSS 0.7739
EPSS Percentile 99.0%

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2011-04-21
CWE
CWE-20
Status published
Products (3)
microsoft/office 2003
microsoft/office 2007
microsoft/works 7.0
Published Apr 21, 2008
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026