CriticalPublic exploit

Arbitrary File Overwrite via SaveLastError in ChilkatHttp ActiveX

IdentifiersCVE-2008-1647CWE-94

CVE-2008-1647 describes a vulnerability in the ChilkatHttp ActiveX controls (ChilkatHttp.ChilkatHttp.1 and ChilkatHttp.ChilkatHttpRequest.1) implemented in ChilkatHttp.dll versions 2.4.0.0, 2.3.0.0, and earlier. The controls expose the SaveLastError method, which can be invoked by remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files on the system. This is due to insufficient validation of file paths provided to the method, allowing attackers to specify any file location for writing error logs.

For your environment

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files on the victim's system, potentially leading to denial of service, data corruption, or further code execution if critical system or application files are overwritten. The vulnerability can be exploited via a malicious web page or script that instantiates the vulnerable ActiveX control and calls SaveLastError with a crafted file path.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Set the kill bit for the vulnerable ActiveX controls to prevent their instantiation in Internet Explorer. Restrict access to the affected controls via group policy or registry settings. Limit user permissions to prevent writing to sensitive file locations. Employ endpoint protection to detect and block malicious scripts attempting to exploit the vulnerability.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade to a version of ChilkatHttp ActiveX where the SaveLastError method is either removed, properly restricted, or validates file paths to prevent arbitrary file overwrite. If an update is not available, consider disabling the affected ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer or other environments where they may be instantiated.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No valid public exploits. Mallory filtered out 2 candidates as fakes, detection scripts, or README-only repos.

VALID 0 / 2 TOTALView more in app

All candidate exploits were filtered out by Mallory's validation.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

Chilkat SoftwareChilkathttp Activexapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

No public activity tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

0 SOURCESView more in app

No public activity observed for this vulnerability.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

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Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity