AOL Desktop 9.6 RTX Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Active
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-121 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2011-10027
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-49qg-jhw7-fj9x
References
Exploit 4
More AOL vulnerabilities
- TI-2004-00577 Buffer overflow in the goaway function in the aim:goaway URI handler for AOL Instant… CVSS 2.0HIGH 10.0
- TI-2010-05051 AOL <= 9.5 Phobos.Playlist 'Import()' Stack-Based Buffer Overflow CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.4
- TI-2006-05454 The ICQPhone.SipxPhoneManager ActiveX control in America Online ICQ 5.1 allows remote… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2007-05963 Stack-based buffer overflow in AOL AOLMediaPlaybackControl (AOLMediaPlaybackControl.exe)… CVSS 2.0HIGH 9.3
- TI-2002-00005 Buffer overflow in AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) 4.7.2480, 4.8.2616, and other versions… CVSS 2.0HIGH 10.0
- TI-2001-01022 Buffer overflow in AOLserver 3.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service… CVSS 2.0HIGH 10.0
Sources
- CVE-2011-10027 · CVE Program
- CVE-2011-10027 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-49qg-jhw7-fj9x · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences