How severe is CVE-2004-0540?

CVE-2004-0540 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2004-0540 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2004-0540?

CVE-2004-0540 affects Microsoft Windows 2000. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2004-0540?

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

When was CVE-2004-0540 published?

CVE-2004-0540 was published on 2004-08-06 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2004-0540

CVE-2004-0540 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (91st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2000
Published: 2004-08-06
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Microsoft Windows 2000, when running in a domain whose Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) is exactly 8 characters long, does not prevent users with expired passwords from logging on to the domain.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2004-0540?: Microsoft Windows 2000, when running in a domain whose Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) is exactly 8 characters long, does not prevent users with expired passwords from logging on to the domain.
How severe is CVE-2004-0540?: CVE-2004-0540 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2004-0540 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2004-0540?: CVE-2004-0540 affects Microsoft Windows 2000. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2004-0540?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2004-0540 published?: CVE-2004-0540 was published on 2004-08-06 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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