ZeroDay Findings
Sign inSign up

Findings

CVE-2010-2568

Microsoft Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Jul 21, 2010 · updated Jun 16, 2026 · microsoft windows 7

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.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Jul 21, 2010 · Catalog

    Detected

    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-

  2. Sep 15, 2022 · CISA KEV

    Known exploited

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

  3. Oct 6, 2022 · CISA KEV

    Remediation due

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

  4. Jun 16, 2026 · Catalog

    Updated

    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-

Required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

CISA due date Oct 6, 2022

Affected

  • cpe microsoft/windows 7version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows server 2003version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows server 2008version unspecified
  • cpe microsoft/windows server 2008r2
  • cpe microsoft/windows vistaversion unspecified
  • vendor Microsoft Windowsversion unspecified

Sources

  • CISA KEVCVE-2010-2568

    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.

    cisa.gov
  • CVE.orgCVE-2010-2568

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSCVE-2010-2568

    30-day exploitation probability 91.3%

    first.org
  • Exploit Database14403

    Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.

    exploit-db.com
  • Exploit Database16574

    Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.

    exploit-db.com
  • Metasploit Modulesexploit_windows/browser/ms10_046_shortcut_icon_dllloader

    Public module reference (excellent). Module source is not copied into this catalog.

    rapid7.com
  • Metasploit Modulesexploit_windows/smb/ms10_046_shortcut_icon_dllloader

    Public module reference (excellent). Module source is not copied into this catalog.

    rapid7.com
  • Metasploit Modulespost_windows/gather/forensics/fanny_bmp_check

    Public module reference (normal). Module source is not copied into this catalog.

    rapid7.com
  • NIST NVDCVE-2010-2568

    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 displa

    nvd.nist.gov

References

CVE-2010-2568 · ZeroDay Findings