Microsoft Windows up to Server 2003 Listbox/Combobox user32.dll LB_DIR/CB_DIR memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2003. This issue affects some unknown processing in the library user32.dll of the component Listbox/Combobox Handler. This manipulation of the argument LB_DIR/CB_DIR causes memory corruption. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2003-0659. The attack can only be executed locally. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2003 (Operating System). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality in the library user32.dll of the component Listbox/Combobox Handler. The manipulation of the argument LB_DIR/CB_DIR 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 summary by CVE is:

Buffer overflow in a function in User32.dll on Windows NT through Server 2003 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via long (1) LB_DIR messages to ListBox or (2) CB_DIR messages to ComboBox controls in a privileged application.

The weakness was shared 10/16/2003 as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). It is possible to read the advisory at kb.cert.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2003-0659. The exploitation appears to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The successful exploitation needs a single authentication. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.

It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 11885 (MS03-045: Buffer Overrun in the ListBox and in the ComboBox (824141)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 90072 (Microsoft ListBox/ComboBox Control User32.dll Function Buffer Overrun Vulnerability (MS03-045)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (13473), Exploit-DB (23255), Tenable (11885), SecurityFocus (BID 8827†) and OSVDB (10937†). The entries VDB-20961 and VDB-20960 are related to this item. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.9

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 11885
Nessus Name: MS03-045: Buffer Overrun in the ListBox and in the ComboBox (824141)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 11885
OpenVAS Name: Buffer Overrun in the ListBox and in the ComboBox (824141)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/07/2003 🔍
10/15/2003 +69 days 🔍
10/15/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/16/2003 +1 days 🔍
10/26/2003 +10 days 🔍
11/17/2003 +22 days 🔍
04/09/2004 +143 days 🔍
08/15/2014 +3780 days 🔍
08/11/2025 +4014 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2003-0659 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0659
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20959

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 13473
SecurityFocus: 8827
OSVDB: 10937 - Microsoft Windows User32.dll ListBox LB_DIR Message Local Overflow
Vulnerability Center: 2662 - [MS03-045] Buffer Overflow Microsoft Windows User32.dll ListBox and ComboBox Enables Code Execution, Medium

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2014 16:33
Updated: 08/11/2025 22:05
Changes: 08/15/2014 16:33 (46), 04/07/2017 16:03 (26), 06/29/2021 10:03 (2), 06/29/2021 10:08 (1), 12/31/2024 05:32 (15), 02/09/2025 12:05 (11), 08/11/2025 22:05 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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