Vulnerability record

CVE-2010-0232

Microsoft Windows Kernel Exception Handler Vulnerability

HighExploitation confirmedCISA KEV

What should I do?

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: attackers are using it. If you run Windows, fix it now.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

US federal civilian agencies must remediate by Mar 24, 2022.

Patch status

Official fix available since Sep 30, 2026

Apply the vendor's update to every affected system. Check the fixed-in versions below where known.

Basis: NVD patch reference

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."

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database. Official vulnerability data, reproduced as published.

Affected products

Products affected by this vulnerability, with versions and the source of each entry
Product	Vendor	Source
Windows	Microsoft	KEV

Sources: KEV = CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Version details have not been published yet.

Intelligence timeline

Developments from the last 30 days, newest first.

CVSS scoredUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
CVE-2010-0232 scored CVSS 7.8: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Kernel Exception Handler Vulnerability
CISA lists this as exploited in the wild. Unpatched Windows systems are exposed to active attacks now.
Basis: NIST National Vulnerability Database
Patch releasedUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
Patch released for CVE-2010-0232: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Kernel Exception Handler Vulnerability
An official fix is now available for Microsoft Windows. This vulnerability is being exploited, so apply it promptly.
Basis: NVD patch reference

1 earlier event is available with a subscription. See plans.

Coverage

We have not published a story about this vulnerability yet.

References

nvd.nist.gov https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-0232
blogs.technet.com http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2010/01/20/security-advisory-979682-released.aspx
lists.immunitysec.com http://lists.immunitysec.com/pipermail/dailydave/2010-January/006000.html
lock.cmpxchg8b.com http://lock.cmpxchg8b.com/c0af0967d904cef2ad4db766a00bc6af/KiTrap0D.zip
seclists.org http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2010/Jan/341
secunia.com http://secunia.com/advisories/38265
securitytracker.com http://securitytracker.com/id?1023471
microsoft.com http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/979682.mspx
securityfocus.com http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/509106/100/0/threaded
securityfocus.com http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/37864
us-cert.gov http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-040A.html
vupen.com http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0179
docs.microsoft.com https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-015
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/55742
oval.cisecurity.org https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A8344
cisa.gov https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2010-0232