How severe is CVE-2010-2549?

CVE-2010-2549 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2010-2549 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2010-2549?

CVE-2010-2549 primarily affects Microsoft Windows Server 2008. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2010-2549?

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-2010-2549 published?

CVE-2010-2549 was published on 2010-07-02 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2010-2549

CVE-2010-2549 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-399.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (91st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-399
Affected product: Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Published: 2010-07-02
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Use-after-free vulnerability in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 and SP2 and Server 2008 Gold and SP2 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (system crash) by using a large number of calls to the NtUserCheckAccessForIntegrityLevel function to trigger a failure in the LockProcessByClientId function, leading to deletion of an in-use process object, aka "Win32k Reference Count Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2010-2549?: Use-after-free vulnerability in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 and SP2 and Server 2008 Gold and SP2 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (system crash) by using a large number of calls to the NtUserCheckAccessForIntegrityLevel function to trigger a failure in the LockProcessByClientId function, leading to deletion of an in-use process object, aka "Win32k Reference Count Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2010-2549?: CVE-2010-2549 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2010-2549 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2010-2549?: CVE-2010-2549 primarily affects Microsoft Windows Server 2008. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2010-2549?: 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-2010-2549 published?: CVE-2010-2549 was published on 2010-07-02 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x32:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x32:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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