CVE-2004-0213Windows 2000 Missing Authentication
Utility Manager in Windows 2000 launches winhlp32.exe while Utility Manager is running with raised privileges, which allows local users to gain system privileges via a "Shatter" style attack that sends a Windows message to cause Utility Manager to launch winhlp32 by directly…
Published Aug 6, 2004 · Updated Apr 15, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2004-0213 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Windows 2000 (Microsoft).
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 20% 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 v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
20%
Higher than 97.4% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
46/100
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
4
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisorywin-utilitymanager-gain-privileges(16592)
- advisoryVU#868580
- patchMS04-019
- patchTA04-196A
Description
Utility Manager in Windows 2000 launches winhlp32.exe while Utility Manager is running with raised privileges, which allows local users to gain system privileges via a "Shatter" style attack that sends a Windows message to cause Utility Manager to launch winhlp32 by directly accessing the context sensitive help and bypassing the GUI, then sending another message to winhlp32 in order to open a user-selected file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0908.
Affected Products
3 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 2000Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Aug 6, 2004
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-306 Missing Authentication for Critical Function
References
- advisorywin-utilitymanager-gain-privileges(16592)
- advisoryVU#868580
- patchMS04-019
- patchTA04-196A
- exploitExploitDB-350
FAQ
Common Questions.
Utility Manager in Windows 2000 launches winhlp32.exe while Utility Manager is running with raised privileges, which allows local users to gain system privileges via a "Shatter" style attack that sends a Windows message to cause Utility Manager to launch winhlp32 by directly accessing the context sensitive help and by…
Affected: Windows 2000 (Microsoft). 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-2004-0213 On Your Attack Surface?
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