CVE-2010-0483

Microsoft Windows VBScript - Remote Code Execution via MsgBox Help File Argument

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 3 public exploits for CVE-2010-0483. PoCs published by Metasploit, Maurycy Prodeus, Maurycy Prodeus, jduck, including Metasploit module exploits/windows/browser/ms10_022_ie_vbscript_winhlp32.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2010-0483 by serving a malicious HLP file and payload EXE via a WebDAV server. When a user presses F1 on a VBScript-generated MessageBox, the help functionality loads the HLP file, leading to arbitrary code execution.

Description

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."

Exploits (3)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16541

This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2010-0483 by serving a malicious HLP file and payload EXE via a WebDAV server. When a user presses F1 on a VBScript-generated MessageBox, the help functionality loads the HLP file, leading to arbitrary code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Internet Explorer with Winhlp32.exe on Windows XP SP3 and other versions
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User interaction (pressing F1 on a MessageBox) · WebDAV redirector enabled or SMB access
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Maurycy Prodeus · textremotewindows_x86
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/11615

This exploit leverages a vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer (CVE-2010-0483) by tricking the user into pressing the F1 key, which loads a malicious help file (test.hlp) from a remote SMB share, leading to arbitrary code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8 on Windows XP
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User interaction (pressing F1) · Access to a remote SMB share hosting the malicious .hlp file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC GREAT
by Maurycy Prodeus, jduck · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ms10_022_ie_vbscript_winhlp32.rb

This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2010-0483 by serving a malicious HLP file via WebDAV when a user presses F1 on a VBScript-generated MessageBox in Internet Explorer. It achieves remote code execution by tricking the victim into loading a payload EXE disguised as a help file.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Internet Explorer (6.0, 7.0) on Windows (XP, Vista, Server 2003)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit attacker-controlled web page · User must press F1 on the MessageBox · WebDAV redirector must be enabled on victim system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →

References (20)

Core 20
Core References
Exploit x_refsource_misc
http://isec.pl/vulnerabilities10.html
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A7170
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/56558
Exploit vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/38463
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_osvdb
http://www.osvdb.org/62632
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/612021
Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/0485
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A8654
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://securitytracker.com/id?1023668
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-103A.html
Vendor Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/38727

Scores

EPSS 0.8625
EPSS Percentile 99.7%

Details

CWE
CWE-94
Status published
Products (4)
microsoft/windows_2000
microsoft/windows_2003_server (2 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_server_2003
microsoft/windows_xp (3 CPE variants)
Published Mar 03, 2010
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026