CVE-2011-10027

HIGH

AOL Desktop < 9.6 - Stack-based Buffer Overflow via RTX Hyperlink Tag

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 4 public exploits for CVE-2011-10027. PoCs published by Metasploit, sickness, sup3r, including Metasploit module exploits/windows/fileformat/aol_desktop_linktag.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Metasploit module exploits a buffer overflow in AOL Desktop 9.6's rich.rct component via a maliciously crafted hyperlink tag, leading to arbitrary code execution. The exploit uses a JMP ESI technique to redirect execution flow to the payload.

Description

AOL Desktop 9.6 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability in its Tool\rich.rct component when parsing .rtx files. By embedding an overly long string in a hyperlink tag, an attacker can trigger a stack-based buffer overflow due to the use of unsafe strcpy operations. This allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when a victim opens a malicious .rtx file. AOL Desktop is end-of-life and no longer supported. Users are encouraged to migrate to AOL Desktop Gold or alternative platforms.

Exploits (4)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubylocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/17150

This Metasploit module exploits a buffer overflow in AOL Desktop 9.6's rich.rct component via a maliciously crafted hyperlink tag, leading to arbitrary code execution. The exploit uses a JMP ESI technique to redirect execution flow to the payload.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: AOL Desktop 9.6
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open a maliciously crafted RTX file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by sickness · pythonlocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16107

This exploit targets a buffer overflow vulnerability in AOL Desktop 9.6 by crafting a malicious RTX file. It uses a JMP ESI instruction from aolusershell.dll to achieve arbitrary code execution, demonstrated by spawning calc.exe.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: AOL Desktop 9.6
No auth needed
Prerequisites: AOL Desktop 9.6 installed on Windows XP Professional SP3 (EN) · Ability to deliver the malicious RTX file to the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by sup3r · pythonlocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16085

This exploit targets a local buffer overflow vulnerability in AOL 9.5 (rtx) by crafting a malicious .rtx file. It uses a NOP sled and shellcode to execute arbitrary commands (calc.exe) via a controlled EIP overwrite.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: AOL 9.5 (rtx)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · AOL 9.5 (rtx) installed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC NORMAL
by sup3r, sickn3ss, sinn3r · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/fileformat/aol_desktop_linktag.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a buffer overflow vulnerability in AOL Desktop 9.6's rich.rct component via a crafted hyperlink tag, leading to arbitrary code execution. It includes multiple targets for different Windows versions and NX bypass techniques.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: AOL Desktop 9.6
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open a malicious RTX file in AOL Desktop 9.6
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (6)

Core 6

Scores

CVSS v4 8.4
EPSS 0.0048
EPSS Percentile 37.2%
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation poc
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CWE
CWE-121
Status published
Products (1)
AOL Inc./AOL Desktop < 9.6
Published Aug 20, 2025
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026