Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2003-0228?

Affected: Windows Media Player (Microsoft) versions 7.1. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2003-0228 being exploited in the wild?

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

Is CVE-2003-0228 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-2003-0228?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2003-0228?

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

How urgently should CVE-2003-0228 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

Request A Demo

WatchlistHigh

CVE-2003-0228Windows Media Player Vulnerability

Directory traversal vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1 and Windows Media Player for Windows XP allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a skins file with a URL containing hex-encoded backslash characters (%5C) that causes an executable to be placed…

Published May 27, 2003 · Updated Apr 15, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2003-0228 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v2) affecting Windows Media Player (Microsoft).
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 46% 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 public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

Scores

CVSS v2

7.5

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

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

46%

Higher than 98.8% of all scored CVEs

Exploit maturity

Proof of concept

ATLAS score

36/100

Publication score, see How it works

Exploitation Verdict

KEV listed

Not listed

Federal due date

None

No federal due date

Ransomware use

Not reported

Attributed actors

None named

Exploit & Defence Guidance

Exploit maturity

Proof of concept

Public exploit code

Proof-of-concept links

In-the-wild evidence

Reports of active use

Advisories And Exploit References

patch7517

Description

Affected Products

2 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
Windows Media PlayerMicrosoft	7.1	n/a

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
May 27, 2003
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026

References

4 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

Directory traversal vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1 and Windows Media Player for Windows XP allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a skins file with a URL containing hex-encoded backslash characters (%5C) that causes an executable to be placed in an arbitrary location.
Affected: Windows Media Player (Microsoft) versions 7.1. 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 public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

Is CVE-2003-0228 On Your Attack Surface?

Brandefense matches it against the products discovered on your perimeter and opens a finding the day a CVE like this is listed.