CRITICAL
CVE-2004-0840
CWE-20Published: November 3, 2004· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
10.0
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
The SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) component of Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 64-bit Edition, and the Exchange Routing Engine component of Exchange Server 2003, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious DNS response message containing length values that are not properly validated.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2004-0840 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityC
IntegrityC
AvailabilityC
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Affected Vendors & Products
Microsoft3 product(s)
exchange serverwindows server 2003windows xp
Source: NVD CPE · 4 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (16)
→
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/394792Patch · Third Party Advisory · US Government Resource
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/11374Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2004/ms04-035Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17621Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17660Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
→
→
→
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/394792Patch · Third Party Advisory · US Government Resource
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/11374Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2004/ms04-035Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17621Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17660Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2004-0840
CVSS Score10.0 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-20
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 3, 2004
Related CVEs (CWE-20)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2004-0840 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.