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CVE-2010-2731: Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.1 on Windows XP SP3, when dire...

Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.1 on Windows XP SP3, when directory-based Basic Authentication is enabled, allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and execute ASP files via a crafted request, aka "Directory Authentication Bypass Vulnerability."

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This issue affects legacy IIS 5.1 on Windows XP SP3 when directory-based Basic Authentication protects content. A remote attacker may bypass intended access controls and run ASP files that should be restricted. The business risk is highest where old web servers still host sensitive internal tools or exposed legacy applications.

Executive priority

Prioritize if any Windows XP SP3 IIS 5.1 server remains reachable. The vulnerability bypasses authentication boundaries, but the affected footprint should be narrow and legacy-focused. Treat confirmed exposed systems as urgent remediation or retirement candidates.

Technical view

CVE-2010-2731 is the Microsoft IIS "Directory Authentication Bypass Vulnerability." The provided CVE description states that crafted remote requests can bypass directory-based Basic Authentication and execute ASP files on IIS 5.1 running Windows XP SP3. The bundle provides no CVSS, CWE, or implementation-level root cause.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Windows XP SP3 systems running IIS 5.1 with directory-based Basic Authentication enabled, especially where ASP files exist under protected directories. Modern IIS versions or non-XP hosts are not identified as affected in the source bundle.

Exploitation context

The source bundle says remote attackers can use a crafted request to bypass access restrictions and execute ASP files. It does not indicate active exploitation, and KEV status is false. No exploit maturity or public weaponization evidence is provided.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse but clear on affected conditions: IIS 5.1, Windows XP SP3, directory-based Basic Authentication, and ASP execution through crafted requests. Use the Microsoft bulletin and OVAL definition for detection and remediation confirmation. Do not assume broader IIS impact from this bundle alone.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Microsoft guidance from MS10-065 for affected IIS 5.1 systems.
  • Retire or isolate Windows XP SP3 web servers wherever possible.
  • Disable directory-based Basic Authentication if it is not required.
  • Move sensitive ASP applications off affected legacy hosts.
  • Restrict network access to any unavoidable legacy IIS service.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Windows XP SP3 hosts running IIS 5.1.
  • Check whether directory-based Basic Authentication is enabled.
  • Identify ASP files inside access-restricted directories.
  • Verify MS10-065 remediation status using vendor or OVAL checks.
  • Review exposure of affected servers to untrusted networks.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Credential and access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2010-2731 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.