CVE-2009-1537KEV · OVERDUE

Microsoft DirectX NULL Byte Overwrite Vulnerability

High · published May 29, 2009

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it high at 8.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 98.9th percentile for exploit probability.

142
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
8.8
EPSS
51%
Percentile
98.9
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🚨 A crafted QuickTime file can trigger this vulnerability, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems—yikes! 🔥 Think of it as a movie ticket that lets you waltz right into a VIP lounge without checking in. If a malicious user hands that ticket (the crafted file) to the system, it can lead to a full-blown party (or disaster) inside! An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain control over the affected machine, enabling them to run malicious software, access sensitive data, or cause significant harm. The potential for remote code execution means that the consequences could be absolutely devastating.

Put simply

Think of it as a movie ticket that lets you waltz right into a VIP lounge without checking in. If a malicious user hands that ticket (the crafted file) to the system, it can lead to a full-blown party (or disaster) inside! This vulnerability lies in the QuickTime Movie Parser Filter in quartz.dll, part of Microsoft's DirectShow. An attacker can exploit it by delivering a specially crafted QuickTime media file, resulting in a NULL byte overwrite and allowing for arbitrary code execution.

What to do

An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain control over the affected machine, enabling them to run malicious software, access sensitive data, or cause significant harm. The potential for remote code execution means that the consequences could be absolutely devastating. Immediately apply patches to your systems—updating DirectX and ensuring you're not running outdated software like Windows 2000 or XP is crucial. Consider disabling support for untrusted media files until you've secured your systems. Regularly audit your environment to catch any exploitable components! You've got this! By following these steps, your defenses will be stronger, and you'll be one step closer to security hero status! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
8.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.51362 · 98.9th percentile
Published
2009-05-29T18:00Z
KEV added
2026-05-20 · due 2026-06-03
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 20 MAY 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Jun 3
    kev
  • 29 MAY 18:00Z
    Unspecified vulnerability in the QuickTime Movie Parser Filter in quartz.dll in DirectShow in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 through 9.0c on Windows 2000 SP4, Windows…
    cvelistv5