CVE-2009-1537

Name: CVE-2009-1537
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2009-05-29T18:30:00.187+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 50.93%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2009-1537 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Unspecified vulnerability in the QuickTime Movie Parser Filter in quartz.dll in DirectShow in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 through 9.0c on Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted QuickTime media file, as exploited in the wild in May 2009, aka "DirectX NULL Byte Overwrite Vulnerability.". CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 50.93% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Unspecified vulnerability in the QuickTime Movie Parser Filter in quartz.dll in DirectShow in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 through 9.0c on Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted QuickTime media file, as exploited in the wild in May 2009, aka "DirectX NULL Byte Overwrite Vulnerability."

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

50.93%

98.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Jun 3, 2026.

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-158

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Directx	7.0	—
Microsoft	Directx	7.0a	—
Microsoft	Directx	7.1	—
Microsoft	Directx	8.1	—
Microsoft	Directx	8.1b	—
Microsoft	Directx	9.0	—
Microsoft	Directx	9.0a	—
Microsoft	Directx	9.0b	—
Microsoft	Directx	9.0c	—
Microsoft	Windows 2000	All versions	Sp4
Microsoft	Windows 2003 Server	All versions	Sp2
Microsoft	Windows Server 2003	All versions	Sp2
Microsoft	Windows Xp	All versions	Sp2

References

http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2009/05/28/microsoft-security-advisory-971778-vulnerability-in-microsoft-directshow-released.aspxVendor Advisory
http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/05/28/new-vulnerability-in-quicktime-parsing.aspxVendor Advisory
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=6481Not Applicable
http://osvdb.org/54797Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35268Vendor Advisory
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/971778.mspxPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35139Broken Link
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1022299Broken Link
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-195A.htmlUS Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1445Vendor Advisory
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1886Vendor Advisory
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-028Vendor Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6237Broken Link
http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2009/05/28/microsoft-security-advisory-971778-vulnerability-in-microsoft-directshow-released.aspxVendor Advisory
http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/05/28/new-vulnerability-in-quicktime-parsing.aspxVendor Advisory
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=6481Not Applicable
http://osvdb.org/54797Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35268Vendor Advisory
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/971778.mspxPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35139Broken Link
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1022299Broken Link
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-195A.htmlUS Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1445Vendor Advisory
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1886Vendor Advisory
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-028Vendor Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6237Broken Link
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2009-1537US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: May 29, 2009
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-1537?

How severe is CVE-2009-1537?

CVE-2009-1537 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 50.93% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2009-1537?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2009-1537?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST