CVE-2000-1112 in Windows Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 executes scripts in custom skin (.WMS) files, which could allow remote attackers to gain privileges via a skin that contains a malicious script, aka the ".WMS Script Execution" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2025
The CVE-2000-1112 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 that stems from its handling of custom skin files with the .WMS extension. This vulnerability operates under the weakness category of CWE-94, which encompasses "Improper Control of Generation of Code" or "Code Injection," where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before executing it as code. The flaw specifically resides in how Windows Media Player processes these skin files, which are designed to customize the player's visual appearance and user interface elements. When a user opens a malicious .WMS file, the player's parser executes embedded scripts without adequate security controls, creating a dangerous execution environment that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Windows Media Player's skin parser which interprets .WMS files as structured data containing both visual elements and executable script components. These skin files can contain scripting code that executes within the player's runtime environment, effectively allowing attackers to run arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the user running the media player. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple file execution without requiring any special user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it susceptible to drive-by download attacks and social engineering campaigns. The attack vector typically involves sending a malicious .WMS file via email, hosting it on a web server, or embedding it in other downloadable content that users might legitimately open.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to achieve privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack follows the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment," where the malicious .WMS file serves as the initial compromise vector. Systems running Windows Media Player 7 are particularly vulnerable because the application lacks proper input validation and sandboxing controls for skin file processing, making it an attractive target for malware authors seeking to exploit legacy software. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential data exfiltration, system monitoring, and further lateral movement within compromised networks, as attackers can leverage the executed code to establish persistent backdoors or deploy additional malware payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-1112 require immediate implementation of multiple security controls to address the root cause. Organizations should disable the execution of .WMS files through Windows Media Player by modifying registry settings or implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent the player from processing potentially malicious skin files. The most effective approach involves either updating to a newer version of Windows Media Player that properly validates skin file content or completely removing the application from systems that do not require it. Network-level defenses should include content filtering mechanisms that block .WMS file attachments and prevent automatic execution of these files from untrusted sources. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown or unexpected files, particularly those with .WMS extensions, as this vulnerability demonstrates how legitimate software can be weaponized through carefully crafted malicious input. Security teams should implement monitoring for unusual file execution patterns and establish incident response procedures for detecting potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's exploitation typically results in immediate system compromise that requires rapid response to prevent further damage.