CVEs / CVE-2010-2568

CVE-2010-2568: Microsoft Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

• Known exploited in the CISA KEV catalog since 15 Sep 2022
• high 9.3 CVSS 2.0 (NVD)
• EPSS 89.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of CVEs (30 Oct 2026)
• Last changed at its sources 16 Jun 2026

Summary

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.

Description

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.

Affected and fixed versions

Exploitation

Severity

References

• CVE-2010-2568 on NVD
• CVE-2010-2568 in the CISA KEV catalog
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-046 (cited by CISA)
• http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=9181 Exploit, Issue Tracking
• http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=9190 Issue Tracking
• http://krebsonsecurity.com/2010/07/experts-warn-of-new-windows-shortcut-flaw/ Press/Media Coverage
• http://secunia.com/advisories/40647 Vendor Advisory
• http://securitytracker.com/id?1024216 Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
• http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00001986.html Not Applicable
• http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/new_rootkit_en.pdf Exploit
• http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/940193 Patch, Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2286198.mspx Broken Link, Patch, Vendor Advisory
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/41732 Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-222A.html Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-046 Patch, Vendor Advisory
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11564 Broken Link
• https://www.geoffchappell.com/notes/security/stuxnet/ctrlfldr.htm Third Party Advisory
• https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2010-2568 US Government Resource