Microsoft Windows 98/NT 4.0/2000 Wordpad RTF Document File memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows 98/NT 4.0/2000. It has been declared as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Wordpad. Executing a manipulation as part of RTF Document File can lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2000-0073. Additionally, an exploit exists. A patch should be applied to remediate this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Windows 98/NT 4.0/2000 (Operating System). This vulnerability affects some unknown processing of the component Wordpad. The manipulation as part of a RTF Document File leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Buffer overflow in Microsoft Rich Text Format (RTF) reader allows attackers to cause a denial of service via a malformed control word.

The issue has been introduced in 08/24/1996. The weakness was released 11/17/1999 by Pauli Ojanpera as MS00-005 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is available at microsoft.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2000-0073. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

It is possible to download the exploit at securityfocus.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1180 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 90148 (Microsoft Malformed RTF Control Word Vulnerability (MS00-005)).

Applying the patch MS00-005 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at microsoft.com.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Exploit-DB (19633), SecurityFocus (BID 807†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-3119†). Additional details are provided at support.microsoft.com. Entry connected to this vulnerability is available at VDB-14987. If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

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Price Prediction: 🔍
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Qualys ID: 🔍
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Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: MS00-005

Timelineinfo

08/24/1996 🔍
11/17/1999 +1180 days 🔍
11/17/1999 +0 days 🔍
11/17/1999 +0 days 🔍
11/17/1999 +0 days 🔍
12/09/2003 +1483 days 🔍
06/22/2014 +3848 days 🔍
10/19/2025 +4137 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS00-005
Researcher: Pauli Ojanpera
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2000-0073 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2000-0073
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14986
SecurityFocus: 807 - Microsoft Riched Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 3119 - [MS00-005] Buffer Overflow in Microsoft RTF Reader Causes Denial of Service via a Malformed Control, Medium

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20140213
Misc.: 🔍
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Entryinfo

Created: 06/22/2014 14:59
Updated: 10/19/2025 20:11
Changes: 06/22/2014 14:59 (64), 05/17/2019 18:32 (6), 03/29/2025 00:13 (17), 10/19/2025 20:11 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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