CVE-2010-0249

Name: CVE-2010-0249
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2010-01-15T17:30:00.533+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 91.88%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2010-0249 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 6 SP1, 7, and 8 on Windows 2000 SP4; Windows XP SP2 and SP3; Windows Server 2003 SP2; Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2; Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2; and Windows 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing a pointer associated with a deleted object, related to incorrectly initialized memory and improper handling of objects in memory, as exploited in the wild in December 2009 and January 2010 during Operation Aurora, aka "HTML Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability.". CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 91.88% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 6 SP1, 7, and 8 on Windows 2000 SP4; Windows XP SP2 and SP3; Windows Server 2003 SP2; Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2; Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2; and Windows 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing a pointer associated with a deleted object, related to incorrectly initialized memory and improper handling of objects in memory, as exploited in the wild in December 2009 and January 2010 during Operation Aurora, aka "HTML Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability."

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

91.88%

99.8th 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 Jun 3, 2026.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Internet Explorer	5.0.1	Sp4
Microsoft	Internet Explorer	6	Sp1
Microsoft	Internet Explorer	7.0	—
Microsoft	Internet Explorer	8	—

References

http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/01/14/security-advisory-979352.aspxBroken Link, Vendor Advisory
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10435232-245.htmlBroken Link
http://osvdb.org/61697Broken Link
http://securitytracker.com/id?1023462Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979352Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/11167Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/492515Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/979352.mspxBroken Link, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/37815Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-055A.htmlBroken Link, Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0135Broken Link
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-002Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/55642Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6835Broken Link
http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/01/14/security-advisory-979352.aspxBroken Link, Vendor Advisory
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10435232-245.htmlBroken Link
http://osvdb.org/61697Broken Link
http://securitytracker.com/id?1023462Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979352Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/11167Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/492515Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/979352.mspxBroken Link, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/37815Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-055A.htmlBroken Link, Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0135Broken Link
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-002Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/55642Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6835Broken Link
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2010-0249US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Jan 15, 2010
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2010-0249?

How severe is CVE-2010-0249?

CVE-2010-0249 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 91.88% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2010-0249?

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-2010-0249?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST