Known exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

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

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.

CVE-2010-2568

Exploited in the wild. Fix this first.

CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-09-15: attackers are using it right now.

CISA KEV: Listed; Added 2022-09-15 · federal fix-by 2022-10-06
EPSS (30 days): 90%; Higher than 99.8% of CVEs · 2026-11-01
CVSS v3.1: 7.8 High; CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

What CISA says

Microsoft Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

NVD description · published 2010-07-22

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.

Full record on NVD

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How to check if you are exposed to CVE-2010-2568

Find every Microsoft Windows system you or your clients run, including ones exposed to the internet. Those come first: CISA only lists flaws attackers are already using.
Compare each version with the fixed versions in the vendor advisory below. Where no fix exists yet, apply the vendor’s mitigation or take the system off the internet.
Run a credentialed vulnerability scan to catch the systems you missed, then check that the next scan no longer reports CVE-2010-2568.

US federal agencies had to fix this by 2022-10-06. Everyone else should treat that deadline as a guide: if it has passed, this is overdue.

Affected versions

Versions the National Vulnerability Database lists as vulnerable to CVE-2010-2568. Check the vendor advisory for the exact fixed builds before you sign anything off.

Product	Vulnerable versions
Microsoft Windows 7	all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2003	--sp2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008	all versions; --sp2; r2
Microsoft Windows Vista	--sp1; --sp2
Microsoft Windows XP	--sp2; --sp3

Timeline

2010-07-22 · Published in the National Vulnerability Database
2022-09-15 · Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, 4,438 days after it was published
2022-10-06 · Fix-by date for US federal agencies, passed 1,487 days ago

Vendor advisories and fixes

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-046

Weakness type

CWE-20

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Sources: CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (version 2026.10.30); EPSS data from FIRST.org; CVSS and descriptions from the NIST National Vulnerability Database. Checked 2026-11-01. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.