CVE-2009-0389: Multiple insecure method vulnerabilities in the Web On Windows (WOW) ActiveX control in WOW ActiveX 2 allow re

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HIGH 9.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-0389 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 9.3) affecting web on windows activex. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple insecure method vulnerabilities in the Web On Windows (WOW) ActiveX control in WOW ActiveX 2 allow remote attackers to (1) create and overwrite arbitrary files via the WriteIniFileString method, (2) execute arbitrary programs via the ShellExecute method, (3) read from the registry via unspecified vectors, and (4) write to the registry via unspecified vectors. NOTE: vectors 1 and 2 can be used together to execute arbitrary code.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.3 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	8.8% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2009-02-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: eztools-software

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-02-02 22:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

eztools-software web on windows activex DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy web-on-windows-activex || rpm -q web-on-windows-activex || web-on-windows-activex --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison web-on-windows-activex sudo apt install web-on-windows-activex=<VERSION_BEFORE_2> sudo apt-mark hold web-on-windows-activex

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list web-on-windows-activex sudo dnf downgrade web-on-windows-activex-<VERSION_BEFORE_2> sudo dnf versionlock add web-on-windows-activex

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: WOW Web On Windows ActiveX Control 2 - Remote Code Execution

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2009-0389?

web on windows activex: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2009-0389 being exploited?

CVE-2009-0389 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2009-0389 affect?

CVE-2009-0389 affects web on windows activex. Severity is high (CVSS 9.3). Multiple insecure method vulnerabilities in the Web On Windows (WOW) ActiveX control in WOW ActiveX 2 allow remote attackers to (1) create and overwrite arbitrary files via the WriteIniFileString method, (2) execute arbitrary programs via t

How urgent is CVE-2009-0389?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

References

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