CVE-2010-0232

Name: CVE-2010-0232
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2010-01-21T19:30:00.9+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 29.25%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2010-0232 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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.". CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 29.25% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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."

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

29.25%

97.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Mar 24, 2022.

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Windows 2000	All versions	Sp4
Microsoft	Windows 7	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows Xp	All versions	Sp2

References

http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/01/20/security-advisory-979682-released.aspxBroken Link
http://lists.immunitysec.com/pipermail/dailydave/2010-January/006000.htmlBroken Link
http://lock.cmpxchg8b.com/c0af0967d904cef2ad4db766a00bc6af/KiTrap0D.zipBroken Link, Exploit
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2010/Jan/341Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://secunia.com/advisories/38265Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
http://securitytracker.com/id?1023471Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/979682.mspxBroken Link, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/509106/100/0/threadedBroken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/37864Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-040A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0179Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-015Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/55742Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A8344Broken Link
http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/01/20/security-advisory-979682-released.aspxBroken Link
http://lists.immunitysec.com/pipermail/dailydave/2010-January/006000.htmlBroken Link
http://lock.cmpxchg8b.com/c0af0967d904cef2ad4db766a00bc6af/KiTrap0D.zipBroken Link, Exploit
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2010/Jan/341Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://secunia.com/advisories/38265Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
http://securitytracker.com/id?1023471Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/979682.mspxBroken Link, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/509106/100/0/threadedBroken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/37864Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-040A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0179Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-015Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/55742Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A8344Broken Link
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2010-0232US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Jan 21, 2010
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2010-0232?

How severe is CVE-2010-0232?

CVE-2010-0232 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 29.25% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2010-0232?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2010-0232?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST