CVE-2010-0483
CVE-2010-0483 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.6. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 86% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-94.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.6)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 86% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-94
- Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2000
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
vbscript.dll in VBScript 5.1, 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8 in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, and Server 2003 SP2, when Internet Explorer is used, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by referencing a (1) local pathname, (2) UNC share pathname, or (3) WebDAV server with a crafted .hlp file in the fourth argument (aka helpfile argument) to the MsgBox function, leading to code execution involving winhlp32.exe when the F1 key is pressed, aka "VBScript Help Keypress Vulnerability."
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2010-0483?
- vbscript.dll in VBScript 5.1, 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8 in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, and Server 2003 SP2, when Internet Explorer is used, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by referencing a (1) local pathname, (2) UNC share pathname, or (3) WebDAV server with a crafted .hlp file in the fourth argument (aka helpfile argument) to the MsgBox function, leading to code execution involving winhlp32.exe when the F1 key is pressed, aka "VBScript Help Keypress Vulnerability."
- How severe is CVE-2010-0483?
- CVE-2010-0483 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.6, rated high severity.
- Is CVE-2010-0483 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 86% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2010-0483?
- CVE-2010-0483 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2000. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2010-0483?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2010-0483 published?
- CVE-2010-0483 was published on 2010-03-03 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/02/28/investigating-a-new-win32hlp-and-internet-explorer-issue.aspx
- http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/03/01/security-advisory-981169-released.aspx
- http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2010/03/01/help-keypress-vulnerability-in-vbscript-enabling-remote-code-execution.aspx
- http://isec.pl/vulnerabilities/isec-0027-msgbox-helpfile-ie.txt
- http://isec.pl/vulnerabilities10.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/38727
- http://securitytracker.com/id?1023668
- http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9163298/New_zero_day_involves_IE_puts_Windows_XP_users_at_risk
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/612021
- http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/981169.mspx
- http://www.osvdb.org/62632
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/38463
- http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/01/ie_code_execution_bug/
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-103A.html
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0485
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-022
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/56558
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A7170
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A8654
- https://www.metasploit.com/svn/framework3/trunk/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ie_winhlp32.rb
Affected products (7)
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2000:*:sp4:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2003_server:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2003_server:*:sp2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
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