CVE-2010-4398

Name: CVE-2010-4398
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2010-12-06T13:44:54.863+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 8.66%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2010-4398 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Stack-based buffer overflow in the RtlQueryRegistryValues function in win32k.sys in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2, and Windows 7 allows local users to gain privileges, and bypass the User Account Control (UAC) feature, via a crafted REG_BINARY value for a SystemDefaultEUDCFont registry key, aka "Driver Improper Interaction with Windows Kernel Vulnerability.". CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 8.66% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the RtlQueryRegistryValues function in win32k.sys in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2, and Windows 7 allows local users to gain privileges, and bypass the User Account Control (UAC) feature, via a crafted REG_BINARY value for a SystemDefaultEUDCFont registry key, aka "Driver Improper Interaction with Windows Kernel 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

8.66%

94.4th 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 Apr 21, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Windows 7	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows Server 2003	All versions	Sp2
Microsoft	Windows Server 2008	All versions	—
Microsoft	Windows Server 2008	r2	—
Microsoft	Windows Vista	All versions	Sp1
Microsoft	Windows Xp	All versions	Sp2

References

http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=9988Exploit, Issue Tracking
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2010/11/25/new-windows-zero-day-flaw-bypasses-uac/Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/42356Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
http://support.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100127248Third Party Advisory
http://twitter.com/msftsecresponse/statuses/7590788200402945Not Applicable
http://www.exploit-db.com/bypassing-uac-with-user-privilege-under-windows-vista7-mirror/Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/15609/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/529673Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/45045Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025046Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0324Broken Link
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2011/ms11-011Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A12162Broken Link
http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=9988Exploit, Issue Tracking
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2010/11/25/new-windows-zero-day-flaw-bypasses-uac/Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/42356Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
http://support.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100127248Third Party Advisory
http://twitter.com/msftsecresponse/statuses/7590788200402945Not Applicable
http://www.exploit-db.com/bypassing-uac-with-user-privilege-under-windows-vista7-mirror/Broken Link, Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/15609/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/529673Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/45045Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025046Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0324Broken Link
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2011/ms11-011Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A12162Broken Link
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2010-4398US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Dec 6, 2010
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2010-4398?

How severe is CVE-2010-4398?

CVE-2010-4398 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 8.66% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2010-4398?

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-2010-4398?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST