CVE-2014-4971

CVE-2014-4971 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Xp with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. 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-20.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 23% (97th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-20
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows Xp
• Published: 2014-07-26
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Microsoft Windows XP SP3 does not validate addresses in certain IRP handler routines, which allows local users to write data to arbitrary memory locations, and consequently gain privileges, via a crafted address in an IOCTL call, related to (1) the MQAC.sys driver in the MQ Access Control subsystem and (2) the BthPan.sys driver in the Bluetooth Personal Area Networking subsystem.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2014-4971?

Microsoft Windows XP SP3 does not validate addresses in certain IRP handler routines, which allows local users to write data to arbitrary memory locations, and consequently gain privileges, via a crafted address in an IOCTL call, related to (1) the MQAC.sys driver in the MQ Access Control subsystem and (2) the BthPan.sys driver in the Bluetooth Personal Area Networking subsystem.

How severe is CVE-2014-4971?

CVE-2014-4971 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2014-4971 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-2014-4971?

CVE-2014-4971 affects Microsoft Windows Xp. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2014-4971?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2014-4971 published?

CVE-2014-4971 was published on 2014-07-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2014/10/14/accessing-risk-for-the-october-2014-security-updates.aspx
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/127535/Microsoft-XP-SP3-BthPan.sys-Arbitrary-Write-Privilege-Escalation.html
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/127536/Microsoft-XP-SP3-MQAC.sys-Arbitrary-Write-Privilege-Escalation.html
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/128674/Microsoft-Bluetooth-Personal-Area-Networking-BthPan.sys-Privilege-Escalation.html
• http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2014/Jul/96
• http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2014/Jul/97
• http://secunia.com/advisories/60974
• http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/34112
• http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/34131
• http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/34982
• http://www.osvdb.org/109387
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/532843/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/532844/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/68764
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031025
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2014/ms14-062
• https://www.korelogic.com/Resources/Advisories/KL-001-2014-002.txt
• https://www.korelogic.com/Resources/Advisories/KL-001-2014-003.txt

Affected products (1)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*

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