CVE-2009-0081

CVE-2009-0081 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 32% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 32% (98th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-20
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2000
• Published: 2009-03-10
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The graphics device interface (GDI) implementation in the kernel in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, and Server 2008 does not properly validate input received from user mode, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) Windows Metafile (aka WMF) or (2) Enhanced Metafile (aka EMF) image file, aka "Windows Kernel Input Validation Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-0081?

The graphics device interface (GDI) implementation in the kernel in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, and Server 2008 does not properly validate input received from user mode, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) Windows Metafile (aka WMF) or (2) Enhanced Metafile (aka EMF) image file, aka "Windows Kernel Input Validation Vulnerability."

How severe is CVE-2009-0081?

CVE-2009-0081 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2009-0081 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 32% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-0081?

CVE-2009-0081 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-0081?

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-2009-0081 published?

CVE-2009-0081 was published on 2009-03-10 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://osvdb.org/52522
• http://secunia.com/advisories/34117
• http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2009-079.htm
• http://support.nortel.com/go/main.jsp?cscat=BLTNDETAIL&DocumentOID=842987&poid=
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/34012
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1021826
• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-069A.html
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0659
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-006
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6202

Affected products (15)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp1:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:gold:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 2000

• CVE-2010-0269 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SMB client in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista Gold, SP1,…
• CVE-2010-0231 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SMB implementation in the Server service in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003…
• CVE-2009-3677 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Internet Authentication Service (IAS) in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold…
• CVE-2009-2523 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The License Logging Server (llssrv.exe) in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code…
• CVE-2009-1925 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The TCP/IP implementation in Microsoft Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2 and Server 2008 Gold and SP2 does not properly…
• CVE-2009-1930 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Telnet service in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, and Server…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 2000 →

Other CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities

• CVE-2026-48316 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
• CVE-2026-48281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
• CVE-2026-48277 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
• CVE-2026-48055 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Streambert is a cross-platform Electron Desktop App to stream and download any video media. In versions 2.4.0 and…
• CVE-2026-34910 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A malicious actor with access to the network could exploit an Improper Input Validation vulnerability found in UniFi OS…
• CVE-2026-33587 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lack of user input sanitisation in Open Notebook v1.8.3 allows the application user to execute Python code (and…

Browse all CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities →