Microsoft · Windows
CVE-2010-2568
Microsoft Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
What it is
Windows Shell in Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP1 and SP2, Server 2008 SP2 and R2, and Windows 7 allows local users or remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) .LNK or (2) .PIF shortcut file, which is not properly handled during icon display in Windows Explorer, as demonstrated in the wild in July 2010, and originally reported for malware that leverages CVE-2010-2772 in Siemens WinCC SCADA systems.
CISA: Microsoft Windows incorrectly parses shortcuts in such a way that malicious code may be executed when the operating system displays the icon of a malicious shortcut file. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute code as the logged-on user.
What to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Deadline for US federal agencies: October 6, 2022
- Added to the CISA list
- September 15, 2022
- Published
- July 22, 2010
- Severity
- High 7.8 CVSS 3.1
- Chance of attacks in the next 30 days (EPSS)
- 90% in the top 0.2% of all known vulnerabilities
- Weakness
- CWE-20
- More details
- NVD · CVE.org · CISA
All references (14)
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-046
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-222A.html
- http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=9181
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11564
- http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00001986.html
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/940193
- http://krebsonsecurity.com/2010/07/experts-warn-of-new-windows-shortcut-flaw/
- http://secunia.com/advisories/40647
- http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2286198.mspx
- http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=9190
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/41732
- http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/new_rootkit_en.pdf
- https://www.geoffchappell.com/notes/security/stuxnet/ctrlfldr.htm
- http://securitytracker.com/id?1024216
More exploited flaws from Microsoft
| Added | Vulnerability | Product | Severity | Attack chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 2026 | Command Injection | Windows | High 8.8 | 9.8% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | Link Following | Windows | High 7.8 | 0.4% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | Heap-Based Buffer Overflow | Windows | High 7.8 | 0.4% |
| May 20, 2026 | Buffer Overflow | Windows | Critical 9.8 | 99% |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Protection Mechanism Failure | Windows | Medium 4.3 | 71% |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Out-of-Bounds Read | Windows | High 7.8 | 12% |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Link Following | Windows | High 7.8 | 4.6% |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Microsoft Windows Video ActiveX Control Remote Code Execution | Windows | High 8.8 | 77% |
Sources: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA, public domain), CVE records (cve.org) and EPSS (FIRST). The chance of attacks is the EPSS estimate that someone will try to exploit the flaw in the next 30 days.