CVE-2008-20001 activePDF WebGrabber ActiveX Control Buffer Overflow
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a stack-based buffer overflow in the activePDF WebGrabber ActiveX control when used in Internet Explorer with permissive settings.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2008-20001?
CVE-2008-20001 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in activePDF WebGrabber, published on 30 Aug 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
activePDF WebGrabber version 3.8.2.0 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the GetStatus() method of the APWebGrb.ocx ActiveX control. By passing an overly long string to this method, a remote attacker can execute arbitrary code in the context of the vulnerable process. Although the control is not marked safe for scripting, exploitation is possible via crafted HTML content in Internet Explorer under permissive security settings.
Weakness: CWE-121
Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-20001?
How do I fix CVE-2008-20001?
No fix has been published for CVE-2008-20001 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2008-20001 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-20001 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-3qqp-q5fr-m8m7.