How severe is CVE-2009-2498?

CVE-2009-2498 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2009-2498 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 21% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-2498?

CVE-2009-2498 primarily affects Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime. In total, 24 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-2498?

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-2009-2498 published?

CVE-2009-2498 was published on 2009-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2009-2498

CVE-2009-2498 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 21% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-94.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 21% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-94
Affected product: Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime
Published: 2009-09-08
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime 9.0, 9.5, and 11 and Windows Media Services 9.1 and 2008 do not properly parse malformed headers in Advanced Systems Format (ASF) files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) .asf, (2) .wmv, or (3) .wma file, aka "Windows Media Header Parsing Invalid Free Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-2498?: Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime 9.0, 9.5, and 11 and Windows Media Services 9.1 and 2008 do not properly parse malformed headers in Advanced Systems Format (ASF) files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) .asf, (2) .wmv, or (3) .wma file, aka "Windows Media Header Parsing Invalid Free Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2009-2498?: CVE-2009-2498 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2009-2498 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 21% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2009-2498?: CVE-2009-2498 primarily affects Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime. In total, 24 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2009-2498?: 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-2009-2498 published?: CVE-2009-2498 was published on 2009-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (24)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_media_format_runtime:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:-:sp4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_media_format_runtime:9.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp2:professional_x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_media_format_runtime:9.5:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_media_format_runtime:11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:-:x32:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:-:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_media_services:9.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_media_services:2008:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:media_foundation_sdk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:-:-:x64:*:*:*:*:*

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