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Mallory
HighCISA KEVExploited in the wildPublic exploit

Microsoft DirectX QuickTime Movie Parser Filter NULL Byte Overwrite RCE

IdentifiersCVE-2009-1537CWE-170

CVE-2009-1537 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the QuickTime Movie Parser Filter within quartz.dll, part of DirectShow in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 through 9.0c. The flaw is described as a NULL byte overwrite triggered while parsing a crafted QuickTime media file. A remote attacker can deliver a malicious .mov or other QuickTime-formatted media file and, if it is opened by a user on a vulnerable system, memory corruption occurs in the DirectShow parsing path, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution. Affected platforms cited in the provided content include Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2/SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP2. The issue was publicly reported and exploited in the wild in 2009, and is also referred to as the "DirectX NULL Byte Overwrite Vulnerability."

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution on the target system in the security context of the logged-in user. This enables full compromise of user data and process integrity available to that account, including installation of malware, data theft, and use of the host as a foothold for further intrusion. Because exploitation is triggered through malicious media content, the vulnerability was suitable for client-side attack chains such as spear-phishing and drive-by delivery.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Until patching or retirement is completed, reduce exposure by preventing users and applications from opening untrusted QuickTime-formatted media files, especially files received via email, web downloads, or untrusted websites. Follow Microsoft's published workaround guidance from Advisory 971778 intended to block or prevent download/opening of crafted QuickTime media. Additional practical mitigations include restricting web and email delivery of QuickTime media, disabling or limiting vulnerable media parsing paths where operationally feasible, and using compensating controls such as endpoint protections and network filtering to detect known exploit delivery attempts.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Microsoft's security update for CVE-2009-1537 / Security Advisory 971778, or upgrade to a supported Windows/DirectX platform that includes the fix. Because the affected products are legacy and may be end-of-life, systems that cannot be patched should be retired, isolated, or removed from exposure paths where untrusted media can be opened. Prioritize remediation on any remaining Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 systems using vulnerable DirectX/DirectShow components.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Microsoft CorporationDirectxapplication
Microsoft CorporationWindows 2000operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows 2003 Serveroperating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2003operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Xpoperating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

What this page doesn’t show

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures1

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity9

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.