CVE-2010-3970
CVE-2010-3970 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 68% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 68% (99th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-119
- Affected product: Microsoft Windows Server 2003
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the CreateSizedDIBSECTION function in shimgvw.dll in the Windows Shell graphics processor (aka graphics rendering engine) in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP1 and SP2, and Server 2008 Gold and SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .MIC or unspecified Office document containing a thumbnail bitmap with a negative biClrUsed value, as reported by Moti and Xu Hao, aka "Windows Shell Graphics Processing Overrun Vulnerability."
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2010-3970?
- Stack-based buffer overflow in the CreateSizedDIBSECTION function in shimgvw.dll in the Windows Shell graphics processor (aka graphics rendering engine) in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP1 and SP2, and Server 2008 Gold and SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .MIC or unspecified Office document containing a thumbnail bitmap with a negative biClrUsed value, as reported by Moti and Xu Hao, aka "Windows Shell Graphics Processing Overrun Vulnerability."
- How severe is CVE-2010-3970?
- CVE-2010-3970 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
- Is CVE-2010-3970 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 68% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2010-3970?
- CVE-2010-3970 primarily affects Microsoft Windows Server 2003. In total, 11 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2010-3970?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2010-3970 published?
- CVE-2010-3970 was published on 2010-12-22 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2011/01/07/assessing-the-risk-of-public-issues-currently-being-tracked-by-the-msrc.aspx
- http://secunia.com/advisories/42779
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/106516
- http://www.metasploit.com/redmine/projects/framework/repository/revisions/11466/entry/modules/exploits/windows/fileformat/ms11_xxx_createsizeddibsection.rb
- http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2490606.mspx
- http://www.powerofcommunity.net/speaker.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/45662
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1024932
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0018
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2011/ms11-006
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11671
Affected products (11)
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- 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:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
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