CVE-2010-0241 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 Route Information packets, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted packets, aka "ICMPv6 Route Information Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0241 represents a critical flaw in the Internet Protocol version 6 implementation within Microsoft Windows operating systems. This weakness specifically affects Windows Vista across all service packs and Windows Server 2008 in its various configurations, particularly when IPv6 networking is enabled. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol stack, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to compromise system integrity. The flaw manifests in the processing of ICMPv6 Route Information packets, which are standard network communication elements used to convey routing information between network nodes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of packet boundaries during ICMPv6 Route Information packet processing. When the Windows TCP/IP stack receives these specific packets, it fails to adequately verify the length and structure of the incoming data before attempting to process it. This absence of proper bounds checking creates a classic buffer overflow condition where maliciously crafted packet data can exceed the allocated memory space, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the network protocol level, meaning that an attacker can exploit it remotely without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0241 extends beyond simple system compromise, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected system. This remote code execution vulnerability enables threat actors to gain full control over compromised systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system infiltration, and broader network compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only network connectivity to the target system, making it particularly attractive to attackers who seek to conduct large-scale attacks against multiple systems. Organizations running affected Windows versions with IPv6 enabled face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited silently without generating obvious network alerts or system warnings.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index bounds, and falls within the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for command and control through remote access. The attack surface is particularly wide given that Windows Vista and Server 2008 were widely deployed enterprise operating systems, making this vulnerability a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access to corporate networks. Microsoft addressed this issue through security updates that implemented proper bounds checking mechanisms for ICMPv6 Route Information packets. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches and consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks, particularly in environments where IPv6 is enabled but not properly managed. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in network protocol implementations and highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components.