Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 CSRSS Worker Thread resource consumption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as problematic has been reported in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component CSRSS Worker Thread Handler. Performing a manipulation results in resource consumption. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-1999-0723. No exploit exists. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (Operating System). This affects an unknown code of the component CSRSS Worker Thread Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a resource consumption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-400. The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource, thereby enabling an actor to influence the amount of resources consumed, eventually leading to the exhaustion of available resources. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

The Windows NT Client Server Runtime Subsystem (CSRSS) can be subjected to a denial of service when all worker threads are waiting for user input.

The weakness was disclosed 06/23/1999 by ERNE with Microsoft as MS99-021 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared at microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-1999-0723. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available.

Upgrading to version XP or 2000 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch MS99-021 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at microsoft.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be patching the affected component.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (2299), SecurityFocus (BID 478†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-733†). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Not Affected

  • Microsoft Windows NT 3.5

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Resource consumption
CWE: CWE-400 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Windows XP/2000
Patch: MS99-021

Timelineinfo

04/09/1999 🔍
06/23/1999 +75 days 🔍
06/23/1999 +0 days 🔍
06/23/1999 +0 days 🔍
01/27/2003 +1314 days 🔍
06/21/2014 +4163 days 🔍
04/19/2026 +4320 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS99-021
Researcher: ERNE
Organization: Microsoft
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0723 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0723
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14697
X-Force: 2299
SecurityFocus: 478 - NT CSRSS Worker Thread Exhaustion Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 733 - [MS99-021] WinNT CSRSS DOS, Medium

Entryinfo

Created: 06/21/2014 11:48
Updated: 04/19/2026 05:36
Changes: 06/21/2014 11:48 (65), 05/08/2019 12:12 (1), 04/19/2026 05:36 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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