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Exploited in the wildComputers & everyday appsCould reach you

CVE-2010-2568 Microsoft Windows: command or code injection

In plain words: The program treats text it receives as instructions instead of plain data. The attacker can run commands on the machine — often the whole device is taken over.

Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Oct 6, 2022

What to do

  1. Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
  2. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
  3. Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
  4. Use a normal (non-admin) account day to day and keep built-in protection like Microsoft Defender on.

Read Microsoft's advisory ↗

Who is affected

Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

What's at risk: Your files, saved passwords and accounts. Many of these let a program that is already running gain full administrator control.

The details

Official name
Microsoft Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Product
Microsoft Windows
CISA description
Microsoft Windows incorrectly parses shortcuts in such a way that malicious code may be executed when the operating system displays the icon of a malicious shortcut file. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute code as the logged-on user.
Type of flaw
Command or code injection (CWE-20)
Confirmed exploited
Sep 15, 2022
US federal patch deadline
Oct 6, 2022

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Answering about CVE-2010-2568 ·

Questions about CVE-2010-2568

Is CVE-2010-2568 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2010-2568 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Sep 15, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.

How do I fix CVE-2010-2568?

Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.

Am I affected by CVE-2010-2568?

Only if you use Microsoft Windows. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

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