CVE-2011-10027 AOL Desktop 9.6 RTX Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a malicious .rtx file due to a stack-based buffer overflow in AOL Desktop.
- 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-2011-10027?
CVE-2011-10027 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in AOL Desktop, published on 20 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 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.
Weakness: CWE-121
Which versions are affected by CVE-2011-10027?
How do I fix CVE-2011-10027?
No fix has been published for CVE-2011-10027 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-2011-10027 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2011-10027 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-49qg-jhw7-fj9x.