CVE-2007-0038

EXPLOITED

Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 through Vista - Remote Code Execution via Animated Cursor RIFF File

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2007-0038 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 17 public exploits from researchers including Metasploit, RISE Security, Breno Silva Pinto, including a Metasploit module exploits/windows/browser/ms07_017_ani_loadimage_chunksize.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This is a Metasploit module exploiting CVE-2007-0038, a stack buffer overflow in the LoadAniIcon() function in USER32.dll. It targets multiple Windows versions and browsers (IE6, IE7, Firefox) via a malicious .ANI file delivered through HTTP or WebDAV.

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the animated cursor code in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 through Vista allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (persistent reboot) via a large length value in the second (or later) anih block of a RIFF .ANI, cur, or .ico file, which results in memory corruption when processing cursors, animated cursors, and icons, a variant of CVE-2005-0416, as originally demonstrated using Internet Explorer 6 and 7. NOTE: this might be a duplicate of CVE-2007-1765; if so, then CVE-2007-0038 should be preferred.

Exploits (17)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16526

This is a Metasploit module exploiting CVE-2007-0038, a stack buffer overflow in the LoadAniIcon() function in USER32.dll. It targets multiple Windows versions and browsers (IE6, IE7, Firefox) via a malicious .ANI file delivered through HTTP or WebDAV.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows (NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista) with IE6, IE7, or Firefox
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a malicious HTTP server or WebDAV share · Target system must be vulnerable (unpatched)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by RISE Security · pythonremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/4045

This exploit targets CVE-2007-0038, a stack overflow vulnerability in Windows Animated Cursor handling. It generates a malicious ANI file embedded in an HTML page to trigger remote code execution via a reverse shell payload.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and earlier (user32.dll, userenv.dll, shell32.dll)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target · Target must visit a malicious webpage or open a crafted ANI file
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Breno Silva Pinto · clocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3695

This exploit generates a malicious .ANI file targeting CVE-2007-1765, a vulnerability in Windows Animated Cursor handling. It crafts a buffer with a malicious header and shellcode to trigger remote code execution via a JMP ESP instruction in ntdll.dll.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (tested on XP SP2)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open the malicious .ANI file
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Marsu · cdoswindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3684

This exploit generates a malformed .ANI file that triggers a denial-of-service (DoS) condition in Microsoft Windows Explorer when the file is accessed. The PoC crafts a buffer with a specific header and fills the rest with 'A' characters to cause the crash.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows Explorer (tested on Windows XP SP2 FR)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to write a file in a directory accessible by Windows Explorer
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by YAG KOHHA · textremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3651

This is a universal exploit generator for CVE-2007-1765, targeting a vulnerability in the handling of .ANI (RIFF Cursors) files in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x-7.x on Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista. The exploit leverages heap manipulation techniques to achieve remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x-7.x
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a malicious webpage or open a malicious .ANI file
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Marsu · clocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3647

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in the handling of .ANI files in Microsoft Windows to execute arbitrary code (calc.exe). It crafts a malicious .ANI file with embedded shellcode and a carefully placed CALL ESI instruction to redirect execution.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (tested on XP SP2 FR)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: DEP must be disabled for exploitation via Explorer · Victim must open the malicious .ANI file
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by Axua · client-side
https://github.com/Axua/CVE-2007-0038

This is a functional exploit for CVE-2007-0038, targeting a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Windows Animated Cursor (ANI) parsing. The exploit crafts a malicious ANI file with shellcode to achieve remote code execution via a reverse TCP shell.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (ANI parsing in USER32.DLL)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open the malicious ANI file
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
remotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3634

This exploit targets a vulnerability in Windows Animated Cursor Handling (CVE-2007-0038), allowing remote code execution by leveraging a malformed cursor file. It successfully invokes calc.exe on vulnerable systems, including fully patched Windows Vista and XP SP2.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows Animated Cursor Handling (Windows Vista, XP SP2, and other NT-based systems)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open a maliciously crafted cursor file
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
remotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3635

This exploit targets a buffer overflow vulnerability in Microsoft's handling of ANI files (CVE-2007-0038). It executes arbitrary code (calc.exe) via a crafted ANI file, leveraging a shellcode from Metasploit's win32_exec. The exploit is functional on Windows XP SP2 with IE 6 SP2.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (XP SP2) with Internet Explorer 6 SP2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open a malicious ANI file (e.g., via web page or email attachment)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
remotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3636

This exploit targets a vulnerability in Windows Animated Cursor Handling (CVE-2007-0038), allowing remote code execution on fully patched Windows Vista and XP SP2. It bypasses security patches and invokes calc.exe upon successful exploitation.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows Vista (Build 6000), Windows XP SP2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target system with vulnerable cursor handling · Ability to deliver malicious cursor file to victim
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
rubyremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16698

This is a functional Metasploit exploit module for CVE-2007-0038, targeting a stack buffer overflow in the LoadAniIcon() function of USER32.dll via a malicious .ANI file delivered through Outlook Express. It includes multiple targets for different Windows versions and languages, and generates a crafted email with an embedded ANI file to trigger the vulnerability.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (XP, 2000, Vista) with Outlook Express
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open the malicious email in Outlook Express · Target system must be vulnerable (unpatched)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
remotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3804

This exploit targets a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows GDI (CVE-2007-0038) via a maliciously crafted .ANI file, leading to remote elevation of privilege. The exploit leverages a buffer overflow in the handling of animated cursor files to execute arbitrary code.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (pre-MS07-017 patch)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Unpatched Windows system · Ability to deliver malicious .ANI file to target
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
clocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3755

This exploit leverages a GDI local privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2007-0038) by manipulating a palette object's kernel pointer to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode. It targets unpatched Windows 2000/XP systems by exploiting a flaw in GDI object handling.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows 2000/XP (pre-MS07-017)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Unpatched Windows 2000/XP system · Local access to the target machine
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
clocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3688

This is a functional local privilege escalation exploit for CVE-2007-0038, targeting a vulnerability in the Windows GDI component (MS07-017). It manipulates the GDI table to overwrite a win32k.sys SSDT entry, allowing arbitrary kernel code execution via a crafted payload.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 (and other affected versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · Vulnerable GDI component (unpatched MS07-017)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
cpplocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3617

This is a functional exploit for CVE-2007-0038, which targets a stack overflow vulnerability in the LoadAniIcon function in user32.dll. The exploit crafts a malicious ANI file with a malformed header and embedded shellcode to achieve remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (various versions including XP SP2, 2000 SP4, Server 2003, Vista)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User interaction (e.g., visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted ANI file) · DEP must be disabled on XP SP2 for explorer.exe exploitation
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
clocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/3652

This is a functional exploit for CVE-2007-0038, targeting a stack overflow in the LoadAniIcon function in user32.dll. It crafts a malicious .ANI file and an HTML file to trigger the vulnerability, leading to arbitrary code execution (e.g., launching calc.exe or logoff.exe).

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (multiple versions including XP SP2, Server 2003, Vista) with vulnerable user32.dll
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User interaction (visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted ANI file)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC GREAT
by hdm, skape · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ms07_017_ani_loadimage_chunksize.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a stack buffer overflow in the LoadAniIcon() function in USER32.dll via a malicious .ANI file, targeting multiple Windows versions and browsers (IE6, IE7, Firefox). It uses HTTP server functionality to deliver the exploit payload.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows (NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista) with IE6, IE7, or Firefox
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a malicious HTTP server or WebDAV share · Target system must be vulnerable to CVE-2007-0038
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →

References (20)

Core 20
Core References
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA07-093A.html
Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2007/1215
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_sreason
http://securityreason.com/securityalert/2542
Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_fulldisc
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2007-03/0470.html
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1854
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/464342/100/0/threaded
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/191609
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vendor-advisory x_refsource_hp
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/466186/100/200/threaded
Vendor Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/24659
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA07-089A.html
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/33301
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/464460/100/100/threaded
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA07-100A.html
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_osvdb
http://www.osvdb.org/33629
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/464459/100/100/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/464269/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/464340/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/464339/100/0/threaded

Scores

EPSS 0.7288
EPSS Percentile 99.4%

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2007-04-03
CWE
CWE-119
Status published
Products (6)
microsoft/windows_2000
microsoft/windows_2003_server gold (3 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_2003_server sp1 (2 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_2003_server sp2 (3 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_vista (2 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_xp (3 CPE variants)
Published Mar 30, 2007
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026