CVE-2009-3678

CVE-2009-3678 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 13% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-189.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 13% (96th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-189
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
• Published: 2010-05-14
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Integer overflow in cdd.dll in the Canonical Display Driver (CDD) in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 on 64-bit platforms, when the Windows Aero theme is installed, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (reboot) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted image file that triggers incorrect data parsing after user-mode data is copied to kernel mode, as demonstrated using "Browse with Irfanview" and certain actions on a folder containing a large number of thumbnail images in Resample mode, possibly related to the ATI graphics driver or win32k.sys, aka "Canonical Display Driver Integer Overflow Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-3678?

Integer overflow in cdd.dll in the Canonical Display Driver (CDD) in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 on 64-bit platforms, when the Windows Aero theme is installed, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (reboot) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted image file that triggers incorrect data parsing after user-mode data is copied to kernel mode, as demonstrated using "Browse with Irfanview" and certain actions on a folder containing a large number of thumbnail images in Resample mode, possibly related to the ATI graphics driver or win32k.sys, aka "Canonical Display Driver Integer Overflow Vulnerability."

How severe is CVE-2009-3678?

CVE-2009-3678 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2009-3678 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 13% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-3678?

CVE-2009-3678 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-3678?

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-2009-3678 published?

CVE-2009-3678 was published on 2010-05-14 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/05/18/security-advisory-2028859-released.aspx
• http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2010/05/18/cdd-dll-vulnerability-difficult-to-exploit.aspx
• http://en.irfanview-forum.de/vb/showthread.php?5647-V4-25-bluescreen-with-Windows-7-cdd-dll-win32k-sys
• http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=8809
• http://osvdb.org/64731
• http://pcandmactech.blogspot.com/2009/12/irfanview-and-bsod.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/39577
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2028859.mspx
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/40237
• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-194A.html
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/1178
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-043
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/58622
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A7195

Affected products (2)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*

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