How severe is CVE-2012-0161?

CVE-2012-0161 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2012-0161 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-2012-0161?

CVE-2012-0161 primarily affects Microsoft .net Framework. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-0161?

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-2012-0161 published?

CVE-2012-0161 was published on 2012-05-09 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-0161

CVE-2012-0161 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft .net Framework 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. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 22% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft .net Framework
Published: 2012-05-09
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 SP3, 1.1 SP1, 2.0 SP2, 3.0 SP2, 3.5 SP1, 3.5.1, and 4 does not properly handle an unspecified exception during use of partially trusted assemblies to serialize input data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a crafted XAML browser application (aka XBAP) or (2) a crafted .NET Framework application, aka ".NET Framework Serialization Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-0161?: Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 SP3, 1.1 SP1, 2.0 SP2, 3.0 SP2, 3.5 SP1, 3.5.1, and 4 does not properly handle an unspecified exception during use of partially trusted assemblies to serialize input data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a crafted XAML browser application (aka XBAP) or (2) a crafted .NET Framework application, aka ".NET Framework Serialization Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2012-0161?: CVE-2012-0161 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2012-0161 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-2012-0161?: CVE-2012-0161 primarily affects Microsoft .net Framework. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-0161?: 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-2012-0161 published?: CVE-2012-0161 was published on 2012-05-09 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:1.0:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:1.1:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:2.0:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:3.0:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:3.5:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:3.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:.net_framework:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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