Microsoft Windows 2000/XP CLSID desktop.ini 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 was found in Microsoft Windows 2000/XP. It has been declared as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file desktop.ini of the component CLSID Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory corruption. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2004-2289. The attack needs to be done within the local network. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows 2000/XP (Operating System). It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects some unknown processing of the file desktop.ini of the component CLSID 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. CVE summarizes:

Microsoft Windows XP Explorer allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a system folder with a Desktop.ini file containing a .ShellClassInfo specifier with a CLSID value that is associated with an executable file.

The bug was discovered 05/17/2004. The weakness was shared 05/18/2004 by Roozbeh Afrasiabi as MS06-015 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at secunia.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2004-2289 since 08/04/2005. Access to the local network is required for this attack to succeed. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.

After before and not just, there has been an exploit disclosed. It is possible to download the exploit at freewebs.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1552 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. By approaching the search of inurl:desktop.ini it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 90305 (Microsoft Windows Explorer Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS06-015)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (16171), Exploit-DB (24125), SecurityFocus (BID 10363†), OSVDB (6221†) and Secunia (SA11633†). The entries VDB-278 and VDB-2147 are related to this item. 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: 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: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

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

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

Timelineinfo

02/17/2000 🔍
05/17/2004 +1551 days 🔍
05/17/2004 +0 days 🔍
05/17/2004 +0 days 🔍
05/17/2004 +0 days 🔍
05/18/2004 +1 days 🔍
05/18/2004 +0 days 🔍
05/19/2004 +0 days 🔍
12/31/2004 +226 days 🔍
08/04/2005 +216 days 🔍
04/12/2006 +251 days 🔍
09/25/2025 +7106 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS06-015⛔
Researcher: Roozbeh Afrasiabi
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2004-2289 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2004-2289
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-664
X-Force: 16171 - Microsoft Windows XP Explorer code execution, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 10363 - Microsoft Windows XP Self-Executing Folder Vulnerability
Secunia: 11633 - Microsoft Windows "desktop.ini" Arbitrary File Execution Vulnerability, Less Critical
OSVDB: 6221 - Microsoft Windows XP desktop.ini CLSID Arbitrary Command Execution
Vulnerability Center: 11060 - [MS06-015] Microsoft Windows Explorer Shell Vulnerability, Critical

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

Entryinfo

Created: 05/19/2004 13:09
Updated: 09/25/2025 08:37
Changes: 05/19/2004 13:09 (85), 06/28/2019 12:50 (5), 09/25/2025 08:37 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:B5D:103

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

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