CVE-2012-0016

CVE-2012-0016 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Expression Design with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 22% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation.

Key facts

Description

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Expression Design; Expression Design SP1; and Expression Design 2, 3, and 4 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .xpr or .DESIGN file, aka "Expression Design Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-0016?
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Expression Design; Expression Design SP1; and Expression Design 2, 3, and 4 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .xpr or .DESIGN file, aka "Expression Design Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2012-0016?
CVE-2012-0016 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2012-0016 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 22% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-0016?
CVE-2012-0016 primarily affects Microsoft Expression Design. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-0016?
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-2012-0016 published?
CVE-2012-0016 was published on 2012-03-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (5)