CVE-2005-2118 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows Shell for Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP1 and SP2, and Server 2003 allows remote user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted shortcut (.lnk) file with long font properties that lead to a buffer overflow when the user views the file's properties using Windows Explorer, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2122.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
This vulnerability resides in the Windows Shell component of Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 1 and 2, and Windows Server 2003. The flaw manifests when a user encounters a specially crafted shortcut file with excessively long font properties within the Windows Explorer interface. This represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of shortcut file metadata, specifically when the system attempts to display font information through the file properties dialog. The vulnerability operates under the principle of insufficient input validation where the Windows Shell fails to properly sanitize font property data before attempting to render it in the graphical user interface. This particular weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise as it requires only a user to view the malicious shortcut file properties through Windows Explorer for exploitation to occur. This user-assisted attack vector significantly broadens the potential attack surface since it does not require direct network access or system-level privileges. The attacker must craft a malicious .lnk file containing oversized font properties and then convince a target user to open the file properties dialog, which typically occurs through social engineering tactics such as phishing emails or compromised websites. When the user clicks on the file properties button, the Windows Shell processes the malformed shortcut data and overflows the allocated buffer, potentially allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where users frequently interact with potentially malicious files from untrusted sources.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of T1059.001, which covers command and script interpreter execution, and T1203, which encompasses exploitation for client execution. The attack chain typically involves initial compromise through phishing or malicious file delivery followed by user interaction with the crafted shortcut file. The buffer overflow occurs in the Windows Shell's handling of shortcut file metadata, specifically when rendering font properties in the file properties dialog. This attack vector demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper bounds checking in system components that process user-provided data. Organizations should implement multiple defensive layers including user education to avoid opening suspicious files, network-based filtering to block malicious shortcut files, and regular patch management to ensure all systems have the latest security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the need for robust application sandboxing and privilege separation to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the attacker would gain execution privileges equivalent to those of the compromised user account rather than system-level access.