CVE-2003-0659Windows Nt Vulnerability
Buffer overflow in a function in User32.dll on Windows NT through Server 2003 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via long (1) LB_DIR messages to ListBox or (2) CB_DIR messages to ComboBox controls in a privileged application.
Published Nov 17, 2003 · Updated Apr 15, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2003-0659 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.2 v2) affecting Windows 2000 (Microsoft), Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft), Windows Nt (Microsoft) and 1 more product.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 43% 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
7.2
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
43%
Higher than 98.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
40/100
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
2
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Description
Buffer overflow in a function in User32.dll on Windows NT through Server 2003 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via long (1) LB_DIR messages to ListBox or (2) CB_DIR messages to ComboBox controls in a privileged application.
Affected Products
49 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 2000Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 2003 ServerMicrosoft | enterprise, enterprise_64-bit, r2, standard, web | n/a |
| Windows NtMicrosoft | 4.0, 4.0-sp1, 4.0-sp2, 4.0-sp3, 4.0-sp4, 4.0-sp5, 4.0-sp6a, 4.0-sp6 | n/a |
| Windows XpMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Nov 17, 2003
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026
References
- patchVU#967668
- patch8827
- exploitExploitDB-122
- exploitExploitDB-23255
- other20031016 Listbox And Combobox Control Buffer Overflow
FAQ
Common Questions.
Buffer overflow in a function in User32.dll on Windows NT through Server 2003 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via long (1) LB_DIR messages to ListBox or (2) CB_DIR messages to ComboBox controls in a privileged application.
Affected: Windows 2000 (Microsoft); Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft) versions enterprise, enterprise_64-bit, r2, standard, web; Windows Nt (Microsoft) versions 4.0, 4.0-sp1, 4.0-sp2, 4.0-sp3, 4.0-sp4, 4.0-sp5, 4.0-sp6a, 4.0-sp6, 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 public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2003-0659 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.
Request A Demo