Analyst readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a historical report of a possible buffer overflow in Microsoft Msinfo32.exe triggered by an overly long filename passed through the msinfo_file command-line parameter. The record is uncertain: no severity, CVSS, affected versions, or confirmed security-boundary crossing are provided.
Executive priority
Treat this as a low-certainty legacy exposure item, not an emergency. Prioritize it if legacy Windows assets remain in sensitive environments or if local user compromise is a major concern.
Technical view
CVE-2004-1649 describes a potential buffer overflow in Msinfo32.exe where a long filename in the msinfo_file parameter might allow arbitrary code execution by a local user. The CVE notes the issue may not cross security boundaries and could be rejected in the future.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to environments where vulnerable Microsoft Msinfo32.exe instances exist and local users or workflows can pass crafted filenames to it. The source bundle does not identify affected Windows versions, supported products, or patch levels.
Exploitation context
The sources describe local exploitation potential only. CISA KEV is false, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation. The CVE itself questions whether the behavior crosses a security boundary.
Researcher notes
Evidence is sparse and old. There is no CVSS, CWE, affected version list, patch reference, or confirmed boundary crossing in the provided bundle. Avoid assuming remote reachability, privilege escalation, or active exploitation.
Mitigation direction
- Check Microsoft or vendor guidance for supported remediation or applicability.
- Retire or isolate legacy Windows systems if vendor support status is unclear.
- Limit unnecessary local access to systems where Msinfo32.exe remains present.
- Monitor unusual Msinfo32.exe launches involving long or unexpected file arguments.
Validation and detection
- Inventory endpoints where Msinfo32.exe is present and used.
- Review OS version, support status, and patch baseline against vendor guidance.
- Check endpoint telemetry for unusual Msinfo32.exe command-line usage.
- Document whether any workflow passes untrusted filenames to Msinfo32.exe.
Public sources used
Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
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.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2004-1649 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- msinfo-msinfofile-bo(17153)CVE reference · vdb-entry, x_refsource_XF
- 20040831 MSInfo Buffer OverflowCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_BUGTRAQ
- 20040830 MSInfo Buffer OverflowCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_FULLDISC
- 20040830 MSInfo Buffer OverflowCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_FULLDISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
