How severe is CVE-2012-0173?

CVE-2012-0173 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2012-0173 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-2012-0173?

CVE-2012-0173 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-0173?

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-2012-0173 published?

CVE-2012-0173 was published on 2012-06-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-0173

CVE-2012-0173 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 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 7
Published: 2012-06-12
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) implementation in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly process packets in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by sending crafted RDP packets triggering access to an object that (1) was not properly initialized or (2) is deleted, aka "Remote Desktop Protocol Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0002.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-0173?: The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) implementation in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly process packets in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by sending crafted RDP packets triggering access to an object that (1) was not properly initialized or (2) is deleted, aka "Remote Desktop Protocol Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0002.
How severe is CVE-2012-0173?: CVE-2012-0173 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2012-0173 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-2012-0173?: CVE-2012-0173 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-0173?: 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-2012-0173 published?: CVE-2012-0173 was published on 2012-06-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (13)

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_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
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:-:sp2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
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:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 7

CVE-2020-1467 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully…
CVE-2015-2373 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server service in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 allows…
CVE-2015-0014 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in the Telnet service in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2…
CVE-2014-6321 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Schannel in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1,…
CVE-2013-3195 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The DSA_InsertItem function in Comctl32.dll in the Windows common control library in Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Windows…
CVE-2013-3175 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1,…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 7 →

Other CWE-94 (Code Injection) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-57624 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) in Blocksy Companion Pro <= 2.1.46 versions.
CVE-2026-10134 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): IBM Langflow OSS 1.0.0 through 1.9.3 allows an attacker to read every secret available to the Langflow process, read…
CVE-2026-53576 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Kestra is an open-source, event-driven orchestration platform. Prior to 1.0.45 and 1.3.21, the authentication filter…
CVE-2026-10561 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): IBM Langflow OSS 1.0.0 through 1.9.3 has an vulnerability due to an improper isolation of Python execution combined…
CVE-2026-25470 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') vulnerability in ACPT ACPT (Pro) - Custom Post Types Plugin…
CVE-2026-48836 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) in Easy Invoice <= 2.1.19 versions.

Browse all CWE-94 (Code Injection) vulnerabilities →