How severe is CVE-2008-5232?

CVE-2008-5232 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-5232 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 36% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-5232?

CVE-2008-5232 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-5232?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2008-5232 published?

CVE-2008-5232 was published on 2008-11-26 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-5232

CVE-2008-5232 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 36% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-787.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 36% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-787
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2000
Published: 2008-11-26
Last modified: 2026-06-16

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-5232?: 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.
How severe is CVE-2008-5232?: CVE-2008-5232 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-5232 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 36% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-5232?: CVE-2008-5232 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-5232?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2008-5232 published?: CVE-2008-5232 was published on 2008-11-26 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_nt:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 2000

CVE-2010-0269 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SMB client in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista Gold, SP1,…
CVE-2010-0231 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SMB implementation in the Server service in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003…
CVE-2009-3677 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Internet Authentication Service (IAS) in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold…
CVE-2009-2523 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The License Logging Server (llssrv.exe) in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code…
CVE-2009-1925 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The TCP/IP implementation in Microsoft Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2 and Server 2008 Gold and SP2 does not properly…
CVE-2009-1930 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Telnet service in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, and Server…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 2000 →

Other CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-42369 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): GV-VMS V20 is a Video Monitoring Software used to gather the feeds of many surveillance cameras and manage other…
CVE-2026-4746 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in timeplus-io proton (base/poco/Foundation/src‎ modules). This vulnerability is…
CVE-2025-43300 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.8.5 and iPadOS…
CVE-2025-24201 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved checks to prevent unauthorized actions. This issue is fixed in…
CVE-2024-42479 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): llama.cpp provides LLM inference in C/C++. The unsafe `data` pointer member in the `rpc_tensor` structure can cause…
CVE-2024-39791 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities affecting Vonets industrial wifi bridge relays and wifi bridge…

Browse all CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) vulnerabilities →