CVE-2010-0806: Microsoft Internet Explorer Peer Objects use-after-free allows remote code execution

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 17 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityIt is listed in CISA KEV with confirmed in-the-wild exploitation, has a very high EPSS score, and allows unauthenticated remote code execution via browsing.

What it is

Internet Explorer 6, 6 SP1 and 7 contain a use-after-free in the Peer Objects component (iepeers.dll), where an object is accessed after deletion, leaving an invalid pointer. Microsoft's advisory labels it an uninitialized memory corruption issue, and it was exploited in the wild in March 2010. Because the flaw is in a core browser component reachable from web content, it matters for any environment still running these IE versions.

Impact

A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code in the context of the logged-on user, giving full control of the affected system. Successful exploitation typically results in malware installation or data theft under the user's privileges.

Attack surface

Reached over the network by a victim visiting a crafted web page or opening attacker-supplied content that triggers the Peer Objects component. No authentication is required, but user interaction (browsing to or opening the malicious content) is needed per the CVSS vector UI:R.

Exploitation

CISA added this to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a due date of 2026-06-03, and the description states it was exploited in the wild in March 2010. EPSS is very high at 0.82172 (99.6th percentile), and references include vendor and US-CERT advisories plus patch information.

What to do

• Apply the Microsoft security update for Internet Explorer (MS10-018) or the vendor mitigation in Security Advisory 981374 as the first action.
• If patching is not possible, discontinue use of Internet Explorer 6/6 SP1/7 or restrict browsing to trusted sites only.
• Enforce the CISA KEV required action and BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, and track remediation against the 2026-06-03 due date.
• Reduce exposure by disabling or unregistering the iepeers.dll Peer Objects component where operationally feasible.
• Run browsing with least privilege and block untrusted web content at the network boundary.

Detection

• Hunt for IE 6/6 SP1/7 processes loading iepeers.dll and crashing or spawning unexpected child processes.
• Monitor for exploit-related network traffic and drive-by download patterns tied to March 2010 campaign activity.
• Review endpoint telemetry for code execution originating from iexplore.exe outside normal browser behavior.
• Check asset inventories for hosts still running the affected IE versions and confirm patch state against MS10-018.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.