CVE-2005-0063Windows 2000 Vulnerability
The document processing application used by the Windows Shell in Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by modifying the CLSID stored in a file so that it is processed by HTML Application Host (MSHTA), as…
Published May 2, 2005 · Updated Apr 15, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2005-0063 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v2) affecting Windows 2000 (Microsoft), Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft), Windows 98 (Microsoft) and 3 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 48% 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)
48%
Higher than 98.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
38/100
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
1
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
Description
The document processing application used by the Windows Shell in Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by modifying the CLSID stored in a file so that it is processed by HTML Application Host (MSHTA), as demonstrated using a Microsoft Word document.
Affected Products
21 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 2000Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 2003 ServerMicrosoft | enterprise, r2, standard, web | n/a |
| Windows 98Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 98seMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows MeMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
May 2, 2005
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026
References
- patch20050412 Microsoft MSHTA Script Execution Vulnerability
- exploitExploitDB-938
- other20050529 Spam exploiting MS05-016
- otherMS05-016
- otheroval:org.mitre.oval:def:2184
FAQ
Common Questions.
The document processing application used by the Windows Shell in Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by modifying the CLSID stored in a file so that it is processed by HTML Application Host (MSHTA), as demonstrated using a Microsoft Word documen…
Affected: Windows 2000 (Microsoft); Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft) versions enterprise, r2, standard, web; Windows 98 (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 public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2005-0063 On Your Attack Surface?
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