CVE-2005-1987Exchange Server Buffer Overflow
Buffer overflow in Collaboration Data Objects (CDO), as used in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Exchange Server, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when CDOSYS or CDOEX processes an e-mail message with a large header name, as demonstrated using the "Content-Type"…
Published Oct 13, 2005 · Updated Apr 15, 2026
Key Facts
Patch in the next maintenance window- CVE-2005-1987 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v2) affecting Exchange Server (Microsoft), Windows 2000 (Microsoft), Windows Server 2003 (Microsoft) and 1 more product.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 44% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch in the next maintenance window, because of its high severity, although no exploitation is known.
Scores
CVSS v2
7.5
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
44%
Higher than 98.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
None known
ATLAS score
41/100
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
None known
Public exploit code
0
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisory20051012 [SEC-1 Advisory] Collaboration Data Objects Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
- advisory17167
- advisory1015038
- advisory1015039
- advisorywin-cdo-bo(22495)
- advisoryoval:org.mitre.oval:def:1130
Description
Buffer overflow in Collaboration Data Objects (CDO), as used in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Exchange Server, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when CDOSYS or CDOEX processes an e-mail message with a large header name, as demonstrated using the "Content-Type" string.
Affected Products
10 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange ServerMicrosoft | 2000-sp3 | n/a |
| Windows 2000Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows Server 2003Microsoft | r2, sp1 | n/a |
| Windows XpMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Oct 13, 2005
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-120 Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
References
- advisory20051012 [SEC-1 Advisory] Collaboration Data Objects Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
- advisory17167
- advisory1015038
- advisory1015039
- advisorywin-cdo-bo(22495)
FAQ
Common Questions.
Buffer overflow in Collaboration Data Objects (CDO), as used in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Exchange Server, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when CDOSYS or CDOEX processes an e-mail message with a large header name, as demonstrated using the "Content-Type" string.
Affected: Exchange Server (Microsoft) versions 2000-sp3; Windows 2000 (Microsoft); Windows Server 2003 (Microsoft) versions r2, sp1, 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.
No public exploit code is known.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch in the next maintenance window, because of its high severity, although no exploitation is known.
Is CVE-2005-1987 On Your Attack Surface?
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