CVE-2005-0803
Description
The GetEnhMetaFilePaletteEntries API in GDI32.DLL in Windows 2000 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted Enhanced Metafile (EMF) file that causes invalid (1) end, (2) emreof, or (3) palent offsets to be used, aka "Enhanced Metafile Vulnerability."
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Affected products
6cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*+ 5 more
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp4:*:*:*:*:*:*
- (no CPE)
Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
Root cause
"Invalid offset validation in GetEnhMetaFilePaletteEntries allows crafted EMF file to cause a denial of service."
Attack vector
An attacker crafts a malicious Enhanced Metafile (EMF) file containing invalid end, emreof, or palent offsets. When a user opens the file or views a folder containing it, the GDI32.DLL component processes the malformed offsets, leading to an application crash. The attacker has no way to force the user to open the file; they must persuade the user to do so, for example by hosting the file on a website or sending it as an email attachment [ref_id=1].
Affected code
The vulnerability resides in the GDI32.DLL module on Windows 2000, specifically in the GetEnhMetaFilePaletteEntries API. The advisory does not name a specific function or line number, but the flaw involves how the API processes offset values within a crafted Enhanced Metafile (EMF) file [ref_id=1].
What the fix does
Microsoft released security update MS05-053 to address this vulnerability. The update modifies the GDI32.DLL component to properly validate offset values when parsing Enhanced Metafile (EMF) records, preventing the invalid offsets from causing a crash. No patch diff is available in the bundle, but the advisory confirms the fix corrects the handling of the malformed offsets [ref_id=1].
Preconditions
- inputUser must open a specially crafted EMF file or view a folder containing it
- networkNo authentication required; the attack can be remote
Reproduction
The bundle includes a public PoC reference (http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/12834) but does not contain the reproduction steps from that source. Therefore, no reproduction steps can be provided.
Generated on May 26, 2026. Inputs: CWE entries + fix-commit diffs from this CVE's patches. Citations validated against bundle.
References
18- www.securityfocus.com/bid/12834nvdExploit
- secunia.com/advisories/17223nvdVendor Advisory
- secunia.com/advisories/17461nvdVendor Advisory
- www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2005/2348nvdVendor Advisory
- www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/134756nvdUS Government Resource
- www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA05-312A.htmlnvdUS Government Resource
- marc.infonvd
- secunia.com/advisories/14631nvd
- securitytracker.com/idnvd
- support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2005-228.pdfnvd
- www.osvdb.org/20580nvd
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2005/ms05-053nvd
- exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/19727nvd
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1121nvd
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1152nvd
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1215nvd
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1240nvd
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A671nvd
News mentions
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