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CVE Record

CVE-2004-0900: The DHCP Server service for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server and Terminal Server Edition does not properly v...

The DHCP Server service for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server and Terminal Server Edition does not properly validate the length of certain messages, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed DHCP message, aka the "DHCP Request Vulnerability."

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is an old remote code execution issue in the DHCP Server service on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server and Terminal Server Edition. A malformed DHCP message could let an attacker run code on the server. Business risk is mainly legacy exposure: any remaining NT 4.0 DHCP server should be treated as unsafe until verified against Microsoft guidance.

Executive priority

Prioritize this if any legacy Windows NT DHCP infrastructure still exists. The vulnerability is old, but remote code execution on a network service is serious, and unsupported systems can carry outsized operational risk. If no NT 4.0 DHCP servers remain, residual risk is low.

Technical view

The DHCP Server service fails to validate the length of certain DHCP messages. The CVE description states remote attackers may execute arbitrary code using a malformed DHCP message. The provided affected scope is Windows NT 4.0 Server and Terminal Server Edition; no CVSS, CWE, or detailed affected-version data is included in the bundle.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in legacy or forgotten network segments still running Windows NT 4.0 DHCP Server. Modern Windows DHCP services are not identified as affected in the provided source bundle. Internet exposure is less relevant than local or routed access to DHCP service paths.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. It describes remote arbitrary code execution by malformed DHCP traffic, but does not provide public exploit status, exploitation prevalence, or reliable attack telemetry.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description, Microsoft bulletin reference, OVAL entries, and IBM X-Force reference. The bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, exploit maturity, and detailed patch applicability. Avoid extrapolating impact to other Windows versions without vendor evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Microsoft MS04-042 guidance for the vendor-supported remediation path.
  • Inventory DHCP servers and confirm no Windows NT 4.0 DHCP service remains in production.
  • Retire or isolate unsupported Windows NT 4.0 systems where remediation is not possible.
  • Limit DHCP service reachability to trusted network segments only.
  • Track OVAL checks where available for vulnerability management coverage.

Validation and detection

  • Identify hosts running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server or Terminal Server Edition.
  • Confirm whether the DHCP Server service is installed and active on those hosts.
  • Check patch or configuration status against Microsoft MS04-042 guidance.
  • Use the referenced OVAL definitions if supported by your scanner.
  • Review network controls limiting access to DHCP server paths.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2004-0900 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.