CVE-2008-3008

EXPLOITED

Windows Media Encoder - Stack-based Buffer Overflow via GetDetailsString Method

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2008-3008 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 3 public exploits from researchers including Metasploit, haluznik, MC, including a Metasploit module exploits/windows/browser/ms08_053_mediaencoder.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a stack buffer overflow in Windows Media Encoder 9 via the GetDetailsString() method of wmex.dll. It uses a Metasploit module to deliver a payload through a malicious HTML page with embedded JavaScript.

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the WMEncProfileManager ActiveX control in wmex.dll in Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9 Series allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long first argument to the GetDetailsString method, aka "Windows Media Encoder Buffer Overrun Vulnerability."

Exploits (3)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16521

This exploit targets a stack buffer overflow in Windows Media Encoder 9 via the GetDetailsString() method of wmex.dll. It uses a Metasploit module to deliver a payload through a malicious HTML page with embedded JavaScript.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows Media Encoder 9
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must visit a malicious webpage · Windows Media Encoder 9 must be installed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by haluznik · htmlremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/6454

This exploit targets a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Windows Media Encoder wmex.dll ActiveX control (CVE-2008-3008). It uses a crafted HTML page with JavaScript to trigger the overflow and execute arbitrary shellcode, leading to remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows Media Encoder wmex.dll ActiveX Control (A8D3AD02-7508-4004-B2E9-AD33F087F43C)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a malicious webpage using Internet Explorer with the vulnerable ActiveX control installed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC NORMAL
by MC · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ms08_053_mediaencoder.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a stack buffer overflow in Windows Media Encoder 9 via the GetDetailsString() method of wmex.dll. It delivers a payload through a malicious HTML page with embedded JavaScript to achieve remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows Media Encoder 9 (wmex.dll)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must visit a malicious webpage · Windows Media Encoder 9 must be installed · Vulnerable version of wmex.dll must be present
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (9)

Core 9
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020832
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6018
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31065
Broken Link vdb-entry x_refsource_vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2521
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/996227
Mailing List vendor-advisory x_refsource_hp
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=122235754013992&w=2
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/6454
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-253A.html

Scores

EPSS 0.8110
EPSS Percentile 99.2%

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2010-05-01
CWE
CWE-119
Status published
Products (5)
microsoft/windows-nt xp sp3
microsoft/windows_2000
microsoft/windows_2003_server (4 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_media_encoder 9_series
microsoft/windows_xp (2 CPE variants)
Published Sep 11, 2008
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026