How severe is CVE-2009-1538?

CVE-2009-1538 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2009-1538 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 27% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-1538?

CVE-2009-1538 primarily affects Microsoft Directx. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-1538?

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-2009-1538 published?

CVE-2009-1538 was published on 2009-07-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2009-1538

CVE-2009-1538 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Directx with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 27% 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: 27% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Directx
Published: 2009-07-15
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The QuickTime Movie Parser Filter in quartz.dll in DirectShow in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 through 9.0c on Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP2 performs updates to pointers without properly validating unspecified data values, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted QuickTime media file, aka "DirectX Pointer Validation Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-1538?: The QuickTime Movie Parser Filter in quartz.dll in DirectShow in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 through 9.0c on Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP2 performs updates to pointers without properly validating unspecified data values, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted QuickTime media file, aka "DirectX Pointer Validation Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2009-1538?: CVE-2009-1538 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2009-1538 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 27% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2009-1538?: CVE-2009-1538 primarily affects Microsoft Directx. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2009-1538?: 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-2009-1538 published?: CVE-2009-1538 was published on 2009-07-15 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:directx:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:-:sp4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:directx:8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:directx:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
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:*:*:*:*:*:*

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