CVE-2001-0006

HIGH

Windows NT 4.0 - Denial of Service via Winsock2ProtocolCatalogMutex Permission Modification

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2001-0006. PoCs published by Arne Vidstrom.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit modifies the DACL of the Winsock2ProtocolCatalogMutex to deny all access, effectively disabling network connectivity on Windows NT 4.0. It leverages incorrect Mutex permissions to achieve a local denial of service.

Description

The Winsock2ProtocolCatalogMutex mutex in Windows NT 4.0 has inappropriate Everyone/Full Control permissions, which allows local users to modify the permissions to "No Access" and disable Winsock network connectivity to cause a denial of service, aka the "Winsock Mutex" vulnerability.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Arne Vidstrom · cdoswindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20596

This exploit modifies the DACL of the Winsock2ProtocolCatalogMutex to deny all access, effectively disabling network connectivity on Windows NT 4.0. It leverages incorrect Mutex permissions to achieve a local denial of service.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=98075221915234&w=2
Patch, Release Notes, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ms
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2001/ms01-003
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/6006

Scores

CVSS v3 7.1
EPSS 0.0300
EPSS Percentile 85.6%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Details

CWE
CWE-732
Status published
Products (1)
microsoft/windows_nt 4.0
Published Feb 12, 2001
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026