How severe is CVE-2012-0156?

CVE-2012-0156 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.3, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2012-0156 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 15% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-0156?

CVE-2012-0156 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-0156?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2012-0156 published?

CVE-2012-0156 was published on 2012-03-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-0156

CVE-2012-0156 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 15% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 4.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 15% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
Published: 2012-03-13
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

DirectWrite in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly render Unicode characters, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application hang) via a (1) instant message or (2) web site, aka "DirectWrite Application Denial of Service Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-0156?: DirectWrite in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly render Unicode characters, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application hang) via a (1) instant message or (2) web site, aka "DirectWrite Application Denial of Service Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2012-0156?: CVE-2012-0156 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.3, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2012-0156 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 15% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-0156?: CVE-2012-0156 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-0156?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2012-0156 published?: CVE-2012-0156 was published on 2012-03-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:*:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:x86:*:*:*:*:*
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_server_2008:r2:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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