CVE-2010-0239 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The TCP/IP implementation in Microsoft Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2 and Server 2008 Gold and SP2, when IPv6 is enabled, does not properly perform bounds checking on ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted packets, aka "ICMPv6 Router Advertisement Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0239 represents a critical flaw in the Windows TCP/IP stack implementation that specifically affects Microsoft Windows Vista and Server 2008 operating systems when IPv6 functionality is enabled. This security issue stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the ICMPv6 Router Advertisement processing code, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks that can be leveraged by malicious actors positioned on the network. The flaw exists in the kernel-level network protocol handling components that process incoming ICMPv6 packets, particularly those related to router advertisement messages that are essential for IPv6 network configuration and routing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper bounds checking in input validation mechanisms. The flaw occurs when the Windows TCP/IP stack receives crafted ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets that contain malformed data structures or oversized fields that exceed expected buffer sizes. When the system attempts to process these packets without proper validation of packet boundaries, it can lead to memory corruption that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network protocol level, meaning that an attacker only needs to be able to send packets to the target system to potentially gain remote code execution capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations running Windows Vista or Server 2008 systems with IPv6 enabled, as it allows for remote code execution without requiring authentication or user interaction. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because ICMPv6 packets can be transmitted from any network location that has routing connectivity to the target system, making it possible for attackers to exploit this vulnerability from outside the organization's network perimeter. The impact extends beyond simple remote code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within network environments. According to ATT&CK framework category T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains that involve network protocol manipulation and exploitation of system-level vulnerabilities.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to craft specially formatted ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets that contain malicious data structures designed to overflow buffers within the Windows kernel network stack. The lack of proper bounds checking means that when the system processes these malformed packets, it can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the kernel context. This type of exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as successful exploitation can result in elevated privileges and complete system compromise. Organizations with IPv6 enabled networks face the highest risk, as the vulnerability specifically targets systems that have this protocol active and configured.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0239 focus primarily on implementing the security patches released by Microsoft through their regular security updates, specifically the update KB977089 for Windows Vista and Server 2008 systems. System administrators should also consider disabling IPv6 functionality on systems where it is not required, as this effectively eliminates the attack surface for this particular vulnerability. Network-level mitigations include implementing firewall rules that restrict ICMPv6 traffic, particularly router advertisement messages, from untrusted sources, and monitoring for unusual ICMPv6 packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should ensure that their systems are configured to automatically install security updates and maintain current antivirus and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of network segmentation and monitoring to prevent lateral movement once an attacker has successfully compromised a system through this vulnerability, aligning with ATT&CK techniques for defense evasion and persistence mechanisms that attackers might employ following initial compromise.