Microsoft Windows up to Server 2003 Authenticode privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2003. Impacted is an unknown function of the component Authenticode. Such manipulation leads to privileges management. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2003-0660. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2003 (Operating System). It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Authenticode. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The Authenticode capability in Microsoft Windows NT through Server 2003 does not prompt the user to download and install ActiveX controls when the system is low on memory, which could allow remote attackers execute arbitrary code without user approval.

The weakness was published 11/17/2003 with Microsoft as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). The advisory is shared for download at kb.cert.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2003-0660 since 08/07/2003. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 11886 (MS03-041: Vulnerability in Authenticode Verification Could Allow Remote Code Execution (823182)), 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 90070 (Microsoft ActiveX Authenticode Verification Bypass Vulnerability (MS03-041)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (13471), Tenable (11886), SecurityFocus (BID 8830†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-2661†). Similar entries are available at VDB-20961 and VDB-20959. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7

VulDB Base Score: 8.1
VulDB Temp Score: 7.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
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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Nessus ID: 11886
Nessus Name: MS03-041: Vulnerability in Authenticode Verification Could Allow Remote Code Execution (823182)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 11886
OpenVAS Name: Vulnerability in Authenticode Verification Could Allow Remote Code Execution (823182)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/07/2003 🔍
10/15/2003 +69 days 🔍
10/15/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/15/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/15/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/26/2003 +11 days 🔍
11/17/2003 +22 days 🔍
11/17/2003 +0 days 🔍
08/15/2014 +3924 days 🔍
08/11/2025 +4014 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Organization: Microsoft
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2003-0660 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0660
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20960

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 13471
SecurityFocus: 8830 - Microsoft ActiveX Authenticode Verification Bypass Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 2661 - [MS03-041] Microsoft ActivX Authenticode Verification Allows Code Execution, Medium

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2014 16:33
Updated: 08/11/2025 20:59
Changes: 08/15/2014 16:33 (56), 09/17/2018 07:16 (19), 12/31/2024 05:32 (16), 08/11/2025 20:59 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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