Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2000-0979?

Affected: Windows 95 (Microsoft); Windows 98 (Microsoft); Windows 98se (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2000-0979 being exploited in the wild?

It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.

Is CVE-2000-0979 in the CISA KEV catalog?

No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2000-0979?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2000-0979?

No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

How urgently should CVE-2000-0979 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2000-0979

MediumPublic exploit

File and Print Sharing service in Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me does not properly check the password for a file share, which allows remote attackers to bypass share access controls by sending a 1-byte password that matches the first character of the real password, aka…

Published Dec 19, 2000 · Updated Sep 23, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2000-0979 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 6.4 v2) affecting Windows 95 (Microsoft), Windows 98 (Microsoft), Windows 98se (Microsoft) and 1 more product.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 75% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

CVSS v2

6.4

AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

75%

Higher than 99.5% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

No known

Not in a known-exploited catalog

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2000-0979 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

Affected Products

4 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
Windows 95Microsoft	See advisory	n/a
Windows 98Microsoft	See advisory	n/a
Windows 98seMicrosoft	See advisory	n/a
Windows MeMicrosoft	See advisory	n/a

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
Dec 19, 2000
Last updated
Sep 23, 2026

References

patch1780
exploitExploitDB-20283
exploitExploitDB-20284
other20001012 NSFOCUS SA2000-05: Microsoft Windows 9x NETBIOS password
otherMS00-072

2 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

File and Print Sharing service in Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me does not properly check the password for a file share, which allows remote attackers to bypass share access controls by sending a 1-byte password that matches the first character of the real password, aka the "Share Level Password" vulnerability.
Affected: Windows 95 (Microsoft); Windows 98 (Microsoft); Windows 98se (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

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