Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2005-0551?

Affected: Windows 2000 (Microsoft); Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft) versions r2; Windows Xp (Microsoft). The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2005-0551 being exploited in the wild?

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

Is CVE-2005-0551 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-2005-0551?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2005-0551?

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

How urgently should CVE-2005-0551 be patched?

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

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WatchlistCritical

CVE-2005-0551Windows 2000 Vulnerability

Stack-based buffer overflow in WINSRV.DLL in the Client Server Runtime System (CSRSS) process of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP SP1 and SP2, and Windows Server 2003 allows local users to gain privileges via a specially-designed application that provides console window…

Published May 2, 2005 · Updated Apr 15, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2005-0551 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 10.0 v2) affecting Windows 2000 (Microsoft), Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft), Windows Xp (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 v2

10.0

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

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

20%

Higher than 97.4% of all scored CVEs

Exploit maturity

Proof of concept

ATLAS score

35/100

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

patch20050412 Microsoft Windows CSRSS.EXE Stack Overflow Vulnerability

Description

Affected Products

4 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
Windows 2000Microsoft	See advisory	n/a
Windows 2003 ServerMicrosoft	r2	n/a
Windows XpMicrosoft	See advisory	n/a

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
May 2, 2005
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026

References

patch20050412 Microsoft Windows CSRSS.EXE Stack Overflow Vulnerability
exploitExploitDB-1198
otherMS05-018
otheroval:org.mitre.oval:def:1822
otheroval:org.mitre.oval:def:266

2 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

Stack-based buffer overflow in WINSRV.DLL in the Client Server Runtime System (CSRSS) process of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP SP1 and SP2, and Windows Server 2003 allows local users to gain privileges via a specially-designed application that provides console window information with a long FaceName value.
Affected: Windows 2000 (Microsoft); Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft) versions r2; Windows Xp (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-2005-0551 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.