CVE-2010-0483 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
vbscript.dll in VBScript 5.1, 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8 in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, and Server 2003 SP2, when Internet Explorer is used, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by referencing a (1) local pathname, (2) UNC share pathname, or (3) WebDAV server with a crafted .hlp file in the fourth argument (aka helpfile argument) to the MsgBox function, leading to code execution involving winhlp32.exe when the F1 key is pressed, aka "VBScript Help Keypress Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0483 represents a critical code execution flaw in Microsoft's VBScript engine affecting multiple Windows operating systems including Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, and Server 2003 SP2. This vulnerability specifically targets the vbscript.dll component within VBScript versions 5.1, 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8, creating a dangerous attack vector that leverages the MsgBox function's helpfile argument handling. The flaw operates through a user-assisted remote attack model where an attacker must convince a victim to interact with a maliciously crafted .hlp file, making it particularly insidious in social engineering scenarios. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-119 as a buffer overflow in the helpfile argument processing, which falls under the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves the manipulation of the fourth argument to the MsgBox function, which is designated as the helpfile argument. When a malicious .hlp file is referenced through this argument and the F1 key is pressed, the winhlp32.exe process becomes vulnerable to code injection. The winhlp32.exe application serves as the help file viewer for Windows and processes help files using a vulnerable parsing mechanism that fails to properly validate input from the helpfile argument. This creates a path traversal condition where attackers can specify local pathnames, UNC share pathnames, or WebDAV server locations to deliver malicious payloads through the helpfile argument. The vulnerability exploits the inherent trust Windows places in help file processing and the lack of proper input sanitization in the VBScript engine's MsgBox function implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. The attack requires only user interaction through the F1 key press, making it particularly dangerous in phishing scenarios where users might unknowingly press F1 while viewing malicious help content. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it leverages client-side application vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Windows versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the VBScript engine's security architecture rather than a simple patchable oversight. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to full system compromise and lateral movement within networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0483 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Microsoft released security patches addressing this vulnerability through Windows Update, but organizations should implement additional protective measures including disabling help file processing for untrusted content, implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict winhlp32.exe execution, and configuring network firewalls to block access to potentially malicious UNC shares or WebDAV servers. Security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of pressing F1 keys on untrusted help content, as this vulnerability relies heavily on user interaction. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for web browsing activities and regularly auditing system configurations to ensure that help file processing is properly restricted. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the need for comprehensive security testing of legacy components that continue to be supported in modern operating systems.