CVE-2008-4844
High PUBLISHEDUse-after-free vulnerability in the CRecordInstance::TransferToDestination function in mshtml.dll in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 6, 6 SP1,...
Not yet in CISA KEV
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Use-after-free vulnerability in the CRecordInstance::TransferToDestination function in mshtml.dll in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 6, 6 SP1, and 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via DSO bindings involving (1) an XML Island, (2) XML DSOs, or (3) Tabular Data Control (TDC) in a crafted HTML or XML document, as demonstrated by nested SPAN or MARQUEE elements, and exploited in the wild in December 2008.
- CVE Published
- Dec 11, 2008
- Exploitation Reported
- Dec 11, 2008
- CVSS
- 9.3 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- HPSBST02397 marc.info · Vendor Advisory http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=123015308222620&w=2
- MS08-078 docs.microsoft.com · Vendor Advisory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2...
- TA08-352A us-cert.gov · Third-Party Advisory http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-352A.html
- VU#493881 kb.cert.org · Third-Party Advisory http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/493881
- TA08-344A us-cert.gov · Third-Party Advisory http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-344A.html
Show 16 more references
- 33089 secunia.com · Third-Party Advisory http://secunia.com/advisories/33089
- 7583 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/7583
- 7477 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/7477
- 7403 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/7403
- 7410 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/7410
- 1021381 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1021381
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:6007 oval.cisecurity.org · VDB Entry https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.m...
- 32721 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32721
- ADV-2008-3391 vupen.com · VDB Entry http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3391
- scanw.com/blog/archives/303 scanw.com · CVE Record http://www.scanw.com/blog/archives/303
- isc.sans.org/diary.html isc.sans.org · CVE Record http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=5458
- code.google.com/p/inception-h2hc code.google.com · CVE Record http://code.google.com/p/inception-h2hc/
- breakingpointsystems.com/community/blog/patch-tuesdays-and-drive-by-s... breakingpointsystems.com · CVE Record http://www.breakingpointsystems.com/community/blog/patch-tuesdays-and...
- avertlabs.com/research/blog/index.php/2008/12/09/yet-anoth... avertlabs.com · CVE Record http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/index.php/2008/12/09/yet-anoth...
- microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspx microsoft.com · CVE Record http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspx
- blogs.msdn.com/sdl/archive/2008/12/18/ms08-078-and-the-sdl.... blogs.msdn.com · CVE Record http://blogs.msdn.com/sdl/archive/2008/12/18/ms08-078-and-the-sdl.aspx
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CVE First | 2008-12-11 15:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ms08_078_xml_corruption.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2008-12-11 15:00:00 UTC · CVE
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2025-04-28 15:02:40 UTC
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ms08_078_xml_corruption.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
15:00 UTC over 17 years ago15:00 UTC · over 17 years ago
Added to KEVIntel KEV Feed
High-confidence, third-party attested exploitation
-
15:00 UTC over 17 years ago15:00 UTC · over 17 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 17 years ago00:00 UTC · over 17 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2008-4844
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2008-4844",
"title": "Use-after-free vulnerability in the CRecordInstance::TransferToDestination fu...",
"affected_vendor": "Microsoft",
"affected_product": "Internet Explorer",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "High",
"cvss_score": 9.3,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}