How severe is CVE-2009-1216?

CVE-2009-1216 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2009-1216 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 24% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-1216?

CVE-2009-1216 primarily affects Microsoft Subsystem For Unix-based Applications. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-1216?

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-2009-1216 published?

CVE-2009-1216 was published on 2009-04-01 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2009-1216

CVE-2009-1216 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Subsystem For Unix-based Applications with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 24% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 24% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Microsoft Subsystem For Unix-based Applications
Published: 2009-04-01
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in (1) unlzh.c and (2) unpack.c in the gzip libraries in Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 and 3.5, and the Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA); as used in gunzip, gzip, pack, pcat, and unpack 7.x before 7.0.1701.48, 8.x before 8.0.1969.62, and 9.x before 9.0.3790.2076; allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-1216?: Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in (1) unlzh.c and (2) unpack.c in the gzip libraries in Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 and 3.5, and the Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA); as used in gunzip, gzip, pack, pcat, and unpack 7.x before 7.0.1701.48, 8.x before 8.0.1969.62, and 9.x before 9.0.3790.2076; allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
How severe is CVE-2009-1216?: CVE-2009-1216 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2009-1216 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 24% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2009-1216?: CVE-2009-1216 primarily affects Microsoft Subsystem For Unix-based Applications. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2009-1216?: 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-2009-1216 published?: CVE-2009-1216 was published on 2009-04-01 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:subsystem_for_unix-based_applications:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_services_for_unix:3.0:-:std:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_services_for_unix:3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:*:enterprise:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:*:ultimate:*:*:*:*:*