CVE-2004-1049Windows 2000 Vulnerability
Integer overflow in the LoadImage API of the USER32 Lib for Microsoft Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a .bmp, .cur, .ico or .ani file with a large image size field, which leads to a buffer overflow, aka the "Cursor and Icon Format Handling…
Published Dec 31, 2004 · Updated Apr 15, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2004-1049 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 5.1 v2) affecting Windows 2000 (Microsoft), Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft), Windows Nt (Microsoft) and 1 more product.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since May 1, 2010. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 30% 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 listed as exploited in the wild.
Scores
CVSS v2
5.1
AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
30%
Higher than 98.2% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Exploited (KEV)
ATLAS score
44/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
May 1, 2010
1947 days after publication
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Exploited (KEV)
Public exploit code
0
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
2
Reports of active use
Description
Integer overflow in the LoadImage API of the USER32 Lib for Microsoft Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a .bmp, .cur, .ico or .ani file with a large image size field, which leads to a buffer overflow, aka the "Cursor and Icon Format Handling Vulnerability."
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | May 1, 2010 | n/a | Not reported |
Affected Products
9 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 2000Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 2003 ServerMicrosoft | r2 | n/a |
| Windows NtMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows XpMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Dec 31, 2004
Added to Industry KEV feed
May 1, 2010
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026
References
- advisoryVU#625856
- advisoryTA05-012A
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitxfocus.net · icoExp
- other20041223 Microsoft Windows LoadImage API Integer Buffer overflow
FAQ
Common Questions.
Integer overflow in the LoadImage API of the USER32 Lib for Microsoft Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a .bmp, .cur, .ico or .ani file with a large image size field, which leads to a buffer overflow, aka the "Cursor and Icon Format Handling Vulnerability."
Affected: Windows 2000 (Microsoft); Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft) versions r2; Windows Nt (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since May 1, 2010.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Is CVE-2004-1049 On Your Attack Surface?
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