📄 Description (English)
Microsoft Windows — CVE-2008-4250
Microsoft Windows contains a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Windows Server Service that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted RPC request that triggers an overflow during path canonicalization.
Required Action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Due Date: 2026-06-03
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2008-4250 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server Service affecting path canonicalization via RPC requests. With a CVSS score of 9.8, this vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code without user interaction. Despite being disclosed in 2008, this legacy vulnerability remains a significant threat to unpatched systems still operational in Saudi organizations, particularly in government and critical infrastructure environments.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 21, 2026 04:17
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses severe risk to Saudi government entities (NCA, NCSC), banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions), healthcare facilities, and energy infrastructure (ARAMCO, SEC). Legacy Windows systems still in operation across government ministries, municipal services, and critical infrastructure are particularly vulnerable. The RPC-based attack vector is network-accessible and requires no authentication, making it exploitable from both internal and external networks. Organizations running Windows Server 2003, XP, and early Server 2008 installations face highest risk.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government (NCA, NCSC, Ministries)
Banking and Financial Services (SAMA-regulated)
Healthcare
Energy and Utilities (ARAMCO, SEC)
Telecommunications (STC, Mobily)
Critical Infrastructure
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
9.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all Windows systems running affected versions (Windows XP, Server 2003, early Server 2008) using network scanning tools
2. Isolate affected systems from network if business continuity permits
3. Implement network segmentation to restrict RPC traffic (TCP/UDP 135, 445) to trusted sources only
4. Deploy firewall rules blocking inbound RPC connections on ports 135, 139, 445
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Apply Microsoft security patches MS08-067 immediately if available for your Windows version
2. For systems where patches are unavailable, implement compensating controls
3. Upgrade to supported Windows versions (Server 2012 R2 or later) as priority
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
1. Disable Server Service if not required for business operations
2. Implement host-based firewall rules blocking RPC ports
3. Deploy intrusion detection signatures for RPC exploit attempts
4. Monitor Event Viewer for RPC service errors and suspicious activity
5. Restrict administrative access and implement principle of least privilege
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for abnormal RPC traffic patterns and connection attempts to port 445
2. Alert on buffer overflow attempts in Server Service logs
3. Track failed RPC authentication attempts from external sources
4. Monitor process creation from svchost.exe with suspicious command-line arguments
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع أنظمة Windows التي تعمل بالإصدارات المتأثرة باستخدام أدوات المسح
2. عزل الأنظمة المتأثرة عن الشبكة إن أمكن
3. تطبيق تقسيم الشبكة لتقييد حركة RPC من المصادر الموثوقة فقط
4. نشر قواعد جدار الحماية لحجب اتصالات RPC الواردة على المنافذ 135، 139، 445
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. تطبيق تصحيحات Microsoft MS08-067 فوراً إن توفرت
2. للأنظمة التي لا توجد تصحيحات لها، تطبيق ضوابط بديلة
3. الترقية إلى إصدارات Windows مدعومة (Server 2012 R2 أو أحدث) كأولوية
الضوابط البديلة:
1. تعطيل خدمة Server إذا لم تكن مطلوبة للعمليات
2. تطبيق قواعد جدار الحماية على مستوى المضيف
3. نشر توقيعات كشف الاختراق لمحاولات استغلال RPC
4. مراقبة سجلات الأحداث للأنشطة المريبة
5. تقييد الوصول الإداري وتطبيق مبدأ الحد الأدنى من الامتيازات
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة أنماط حركة RPC غير الطبيعية
2. تنبيهات محاولات تجاوز المخزن المؤقت
3. تتبع محاولات المصادقة الفاشلة من مصادر خارجية
4. مراقبة إنشاء العمليات من svchost.exe
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Monitoring of system use
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.RA-1 - Asset management and vulnerability identification
SAMA CSF PR.IP-12 - System security configuration and hardening
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and monitoring of anomalous activity
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.2.1 - Monitoring of information systems
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.1 - Secure development and change management
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 - Security patches and updates
PCI DSS 11.2 - Vulnerability scanning and assessment
🔗 References & Sources 0
No references.