CVE-2008-0015: Microsoft Windows Video ActiveX Control stack buffer overflow in DirectShow

CVE-2008-0015 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.3 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2026-02-17

A critical vulnerability exists in a Microsoft Windows component used for processing video content. An attacker can exploit this by tricking a user into visiting a malicious website, which could allow the attacker to take full control of the user's computer. This could lead to the theft of sensitive data, installation of malware, or complete system compromise.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2008-0015 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2008-0015 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 17 February 2026. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2008-0015?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.3, published 17 February 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4; Microsoft Windows XP SP2, SP3; Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2; Microsoft Windows Vista Gold, SP1, SP2; and 1 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2008-0015?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2008-0015 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2008-0015?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

A stack-based buffer overflow exists in the CComVariant::ReadFromStream function within the Active Template Library (ATL), as utilized by the MPEG2TuneRequest ActiveX control (msvidctl.dll) in DirectShow. The vulnerability is triggered when the control processes a specially crafted stream from a web page. A remote attacker can exploit this by hosting a malicious website and enticing a user to visit it. Successful exploitation allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. This vulnerability has been observed being exploited in the wild.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows XP SP2, SP3
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Gold, SP1, SP2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2

Timeline

  • 2009-07: exploited: First reported exploitation in the wild.
  • 2026-02-17: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

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