CVE-2010-0232: Microsoft Windows Kernel Exception Handler Vulnerability
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2010-0232 is a high (CVSS 7.8) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-03-2022. EPSS estimates a 28.73% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 98.1% of scored vulnerabilities. 5 public exploits are recorded.
Timeline
- 21-01-2010PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 03-03-2022Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Windows Kernel Exception Handler Vulnerability
- 24-03-2022CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
- 22-10-2025Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
The kernel in Microsoft Windows NT 3.1 through Windows 7, including Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, and Windows Server 2008 Gold and SP2, when access to 16-bit applications is enabled on a 32-bit x86 platform, does not properly validate certain BIOS calls, which allows local users to gain privileges by crafting a VDM_TIB data structure in the Thread Environment Block (TEB), and then calling the NtVdmControl function to start the Windows Virtual DOS Machine (aka NTVDM) subsystem, leading to improperly handled exceptions involving the #GP trap handler (nt!KiTrap0D), aka "Windows Kernel Exception Handler Vulnerability."
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- NVDNIST7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
28.73%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
98%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
-0.52 pp
From 29.25% on 21-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVListed- Added
- 03-03-2022
- Federal due date
- 24-03-2022
CISA required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-0232
Public exploits
5 foundExploit Reference (lock.cmpxchg8b.com)
Maturity: unknown
Exploit Reference (seclists.org)
Maturity: unknown
Exploit Reference (securityfocus.com)
Maturity: unknown
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeNo weakness data has been published for this record.
Affected systems
Microsoft3 products
1 vendor · 3 products
References
15 links- lists.immunitysec.com/pipermail/dailydave/2010-January/006000.htmlMailing ListX Refsource MLISTBroken Link
- blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/01/20/security-advisory-979682-released.aspxX Refsource CONFIRMBroken Link
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-015Vendor AdvisoryX Refsource MSPatch- www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/979682.mspxX Refsource CONFIRMBroken LinkPatchVendor Advisory
- www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-040A.htmlThird Party AdvisoryX Refsource CERTUS Government Resource
Show all 15 references
- www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/509106/100/0/threadedMailing ListX Refsource BUGTRAQBroken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A8344VDB EntrySignatureX Refsource OVALBroken Link
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2010-0232Government ResourceUS Government Resource