How severe is CVE-2012-1537?

CVE-2012-1537 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2012-1537 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 23% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-1537?

CVE-2012-1537 primarily affects Microsoft Directx. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-1537?

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-2012-1537 published?

CVE-2012-1537 was published on 2012-12-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-1537

CVE-2012-1537 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Directx with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 23% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 23% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Microsoft Directx
Published: 2012-12-12
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in DirectPlay in DirectX 9.0 through 11.1 in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Office document, aka "DirectPlay Heap Overflow Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-1537?: Heap-based buffer overflow in DirectPlay in DirectX 9.0 through 11.1 in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Office document, aka "DirectPlay Heap Overflow Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2012-1537?: CVE-2012-1537 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2012-1537 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 23% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-1537?: CVE-2012-1537 primarily affects Microsoft Directx. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-1537?: 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-2012-1537 published?: CVE-2012-1537 was published on 2012-12-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:directx:10.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:directx:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:directx:11.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:directx:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:directx:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Directx

CVE-2010-1880 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Unspecified vulnerability in Quartz.dll for DirectShow on Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2,…
CVE-2010-1879 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Unspecified vulnerability in Quartz.dll for DirectShow; Windows Media Format Runtime 9, 9.5, and 11; Media Encoder 9;…
CVE-2009-1539 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): The QuickTime Movie Parser Filter in quartz.dll in DirectShow in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 through 9.0c on Windows 2000…
CVE-2009-1538 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): The QuickTime Movie Parser Filter in quartz.dll in DirectShow in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 through 9.0c on Windows 2000…
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