How severe is CVE-2004-0213?

CVE-2004-0213 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2004-0213 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 21% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2004-0213?

CVE-2004-0213 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2004-0213?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2004-0213 published?

CVE-2004-0213 was published on 2004-08-06 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2004-0213

CVE-2004-0213 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 21% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-306.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 21% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-306
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2000
Published: 2004-08-06
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Utility Manager in Windows 2000 launches winhlp32.exe while Utility Manager is running with raised privileges, which allows local users to gain system privileges via a "Shatter" style attack that sends a Windows message to cause Utility Manager to launch winhlp32 by directly accessing the context sensitive help and bypassing the GUI, then sending another message to winhlp32 in order to open a user-selected file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0908.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2004-0213?: Utility Manager in Windows 2000 launches winhlp32.exe while Utility Manager is running with raised privileges, which allows local users to gain system privileges via a "Shatter" style attack that sends a Windows message to cause Utility Manager to launch winhlp32 by directly accessing the context sensitive help and bypassing the GUI, then sending another message to winhlp32 in order to open a user-selected file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0908.
How severe is CVE-2004-0213?: CVE-2004-0213 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2004-0213 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 21% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2004-0213?: CVE-2004-0213 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2004-0213?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2004-0213 published?: CVE-2004-0213 was published on 2004-08-06 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:-:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:-:sp4:*:*:*:*:*:*

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