# CVE-2010-2739: Memory corruption in n/a

> Local attackers can trigger a buffer overflow in win32k.sys via crafted clipboard data, potentially executing arbitrary code or causing a system crash.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Sep 2010
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-j8vc-4phr-q4j2

## What is CVE-2010-2739?

CVE-2010-2739 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, published on 7 Sep 2010. 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

Buffer overflow in the CreateDIBPalette function in win32k.sys in Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Server 2003 R2 Enterprise SP2, Vista Business SP1, Windows 7, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code by performing a clipboard operation (GetClipboardData API function) with a crafted bitmap with a palette that contains a large number of colors.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2010-2739?

It affects 6 products.


Products: Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Xp.

## How do I fix CVE-2010-2739?

No fix has been published for CVE-2010-2739 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2010-2739 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2010-2739 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Microsoft Windows - 'win32k.sys' Driver 'CreateDIBPalette()' Local Buffer Overflow (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server

- [CVE-2008-0015](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-0015/): Microsoft Windows Video ActiveX Control Remote Code Execution (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2015-1701](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-1701/): Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-5065](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-5065/): Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2011-1268](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-1268/): Code injection in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-1868](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-1868/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2010-2739 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2010-2739 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, published on 7 Sep 2010. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2010-2739 exists.

Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2003 Server. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-2739/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-2739/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2010-2739
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-2739
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2010-2739

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-2739/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.