Microsoft Windows 2000/Server 2003/XP lnk 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 classified as critical was found in Microsoft Windows 2000/Server 2003/XP. Affected is an unknown function of the component lnk File Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2005-2118. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Windows 2000/Server 2003/XP (Operating System). This vulnerability affects an unknown function of the component lnk File Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input 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.

The bug was discovered 10/11/2005. The weakness was disclosed 10/11/2005 by Cesar Cerrudo with Argeniss as MS05-049 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared for download at microsoft.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2005-2118 since 07/02/2005. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 2063 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 20002 (MS05-049: Vulnerabilities in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution (900725)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 90273 (Microsoft Windows Shell Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS05-049)).

Applying the patch MS05-049 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at windowsupdate.microsoft.com. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Attack attempts may be identified with Snort ID 4643. In this case the pattern L|00 00 00 01 14 02 00 00 00 00 00 C0 00 00 00 00 00 00|F is used for detection. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 3827.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (22501), Tenable (20002), SecurityFocus (BID 15070†), OSVDB (19900†) and Secunia (SA17168†). The entries VDB-1623, VDB-1702, VDB-1789 and VDB-1793 are pretty similar. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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Support

  • end of life (old version)

Website

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

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Proof-of-Concept

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 20002
Nessus Name: MS05-049: Vulnerabilities in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution (900725)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: MS05-049

Snort ID: 4643
Snort Message: WEB-CLIENT malformed windows shortcut file buffer overflow attempt
Snort Pattern: 🔍
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

SourceFire IPS: 🔍
ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍
PaloAlto IPS: 🔍
Fortigate IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

02/17/2000 🔍
07/02/2005 +1962 days 🔍
10/11/2005 +101 days 🔍
10/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/12/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/12/2005 +0 days 🔍
10/21/2005 +9 days 🔍
06/30/2025 +7192 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS05-049
Researcher: Cesar Cerrudo
Organization: Argeniss
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2005-2118 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2005-2118
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-1792

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 22501
SecurityFocus: 15070 - Microsoft Windows Malicious Shortcut Handling Remote Code Execution Variant Vulnerability
Secunia: 17168 - Microsoft Windows Shell and Web View Three Vulnerabilities, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 19900 - Microsoft Windows Shell Crafted .lnk File Arbitrary Code Execution (2005-2122)
SecurityTracker: 1015040
Vulnerability Center: 9402 - [MS05-049] Windows Shell Code Execution via .Ink Files, Medium

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 10/12/2005 13:26
Updated: 06/30/2025 06:55
Changes: 10/12/2005 13:26 (105), 07/04/2019 16:52 (2), 03/12/2021 08:10 (2), 06/30/2025 06:55 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:71C:103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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