# CVE-2004-2289: Code injection in n/a

> Local attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into accessing a malicious system folder with a crafted Desktop.ini file.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 4 Aug 2005
- **Updated:** 8 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qvw5-r2q2-rmh2

## What is CVE-2004-2289?

CVE-2004-2289 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Xp, published on 4 Aug 2005. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Microsoft Windows XP Explorer allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a system folder with a Desktop.ini file containing a .ShellClassInfo specifier with a CLSID value that is associated with an executable file.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2004-2289?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Microsoft Windows Xp.

## How do I fix CVE-2004-2289?

No fix has been published for CVE-2004-2289 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2004-2289 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2004-2289 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Microsoft Windows XP - Self-Executing Folder (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Xp

- [CVE-2012-1852](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-1852/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2012-1853](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-1853/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2009-0119](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0119/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2007-1946](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2007-1946/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2005-3595](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2005-3595/): Hardcoded credentials in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2004-2289 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2004-2289 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Xp, published on 4 Aug 2005. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2004-2289 exists.

Affected product: Microsoft Windows Xp. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2289/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2289/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2004-2289
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2004-2289
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2004-2289

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2289/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.