# CVE-2009-0081: Memory corruption in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening crafted WMF or EMF image files, exploiting a kernel input validation flaw.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 10 Mar 2009
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jw73-h3mc-vq6c

## What is CVE-2009-0081?

CVE-2009-0081 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000, published on 10 Mar 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

The graphics device interface (GDI) implementation in the kernel in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, and Server 2008 does not properly validate input received from user mode, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) Windows Metafile (aka WMF) or (2) Enhanced Metafile (aka EMF) image file, aka "Windows Kernel Input Validation Vulnerability."

Weakness: CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-0081?

It affects 5 products.


Products: Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Xp.

## How do I fix CVE-2009-0081?

No fix has been published for CVE-2009-0081 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2009-0081 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2009-0081 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 2000

- [CVE-2008-4250](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-4250/): Microsoft Windows Buffer Overflow (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2010-0232](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-0232/): Microsoft Windows Kernel Exception Handler (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2009-1123](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-1123/): Microsoft Windows Improper Input Validation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2002-0367](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0367/): Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2010-0269](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-0269/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2009-0081 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2009-0081 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000, published on 10 Mar 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2009-0081 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2000. 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-2009-0081/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0081/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-0081
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-0081
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2009-0081

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0081/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.