CVE-2010-10015 AOL <= 9.5 Phobos.Playlist 'Import()' Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a stack-based buffer overflow in AOL's Phobos.dll ActiveX control when a malicious HTML file is opened locally.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2010-10015?
CVE-2010-10015 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in AOL, published on 21 Aug 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
AOL versions up to and including 9.5 includes an ActiveX control (Phobos.dll) that exposes a method called Import() via the Phobos.Playlist COM object. This method is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow when provided with an excessively long string argument. Exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user, but only when the malicious HTML file is opened locally, due to the control not being marked safe for scripting or initialization. AOL remains an active and supported brand offering services like AOL Mail and AOL Desktop Gold, but the legacy AOL 9.5 desktop software—specifically the version containing the vulnerable Phobos.dll ActiveX control—is long discontinued and no longer maintained.
Weakness: CWE-121
Which versions are affected by CVE-2010-10015?
How do I fix CVE-2010-10015?
No fix has been published for CVE-2010-10015 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2010-10015 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2010-10015 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-mgmx-v8vm-g2vc.