CVE-2012-0016Expression Design Vulnerability
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Expression Design; Expression Design SP1; and Expression Design 2, 3, and 4 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .xpr or…
Published Mar 13, 2012 · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2012-0016 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v2) affecting Expression Design (Microsoft).
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 22% 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
9.3
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
22%
Higher than 97.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
34/100
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
Description
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Expression Design; Expression Design SP1; and Expression Design 2, 3, and 4 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .xpr or .DESIGN file, aka "Expression Design Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability."
Affected Products
5 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Expression DesignMicrosoft | 2, 3, 4 | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 13, 2012
Last updated
Apr 28, 2026
References
- exploitExploitDB-29858
- otherMS12-022
- otheroval:org.mitre.oval:def:14973
- otherTA12-073A
FAQ
Common Questions.
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Expression Design; Expression Design SP1; and Expression Design 2, 3, and 4 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .xpr or .DESIGN file, aka "Expression Design Insecur…
Affected: Expression Design (Microsoft) versions 2, 3, 4. 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-2012-0016 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.
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