CVE-2005-2122

CVE-2005-2122 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 43% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 43% (99th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2000
• Published: 2005-10-21
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Windows Shell for Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP1 and SP2, and Server 2003 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a shortcut (.lnk) file with long font properties that lead to a buffer overflow in the Client/Server Runtime Server Subsystem (CSRSS), a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2118.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2005-2122?

Windows Shell for Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP1 and SP2, and Server 2003 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a shortcut (.lnk) file with long font properties that lead to a buffer overflow in the Client/Server Runtime Server Subsystem (CSRSS), a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2118.

How severe is CVE-2005-2122?

CVE-2005-2122 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2005-2122 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 43% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2005-2122?

CVE-2005-2122 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2005-2122?

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-2005-2122 published?

CVE-2005-2122 was published on 2005-10-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://secunia.com/advisories/17168
• http://secunia.com/advisories/17172
• http://secunia.com/advisories/17223
• http://securitytracker.com/id?1015040
• http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2005-214.pdf
• http://www.argeniss.com/research/MSBugPaper.pdf
• http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/922708
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/15069
• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA05-284A.html
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2005/ms05-049
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1329
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1488
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1517
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1537
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1551
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A708

Affected products (12)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2003_server:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:*:home:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:*:media_center:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:gold:professional:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp1:home:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp1:media_center:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp2:tablet_pc:*:*:*:*:*

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