---
title: "CVE-2010-1885: The MPC::HexToNum function in helpctr.exe… | CubePath"
description: "The MPC::HexToNum function in helpctr.exe in Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 does not properly handle…"
language: en
source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2010-1885
---

# CVE-2010-1885: The MPC::HexToNum function in helpctr.exe… | CubePath

## Description

The MPC::HexToNum function in helpctr.exe in Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 does not properly handle malformed escape sequences, which allows remote attackers to bypass the trusted documents whitelist (fromHCP option) and execute arbitrary commands via a crafted hcp:// URL, aka "Help Center URL Validation Vulnerability."

Official description from the CVE record, published by microsoft. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2010-1885)

## Key data

### EPSS

Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days.

Score

0.71148 (71.1% probability)

Percentile

99.4%

Scores of

Nov 10, 2026

Model

v2026.06.15

## References

Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control.

- [VU#578319](http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/578319)  (kb.cert.org) third-party-advisory
- [20100609 Microsoft Windows Help Centre Handles Malformed Escape Sequences Incorrectly](http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/511774/100/0/threaded)  (securityfocus.com) mailing-list
- [ms-win-helpctr-command-execution(59267)](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/59267)  (exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com) vdb-entry
- [20100610 Re: Microsoft Windows Help Centre Handles Malformed Escape Sequences Incorrectly](http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/511783/100/0/threaded)  (securityfocus.com) mailing-list
- [blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2010/06/10/help-and-support…](http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2010/06/10/help-and-support-center-vulnerability-full-disclosure-posting.aspx)
- [40725](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/40725)  (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry
- [20100609 Microsoft Windows Help Centre Handles Malformed Escape Sequences Incorrectly](http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2010-06/0197.html)  (archives.neohapsis.com) mailing-list
- [1024084](http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1024084)  (securitytracker.com) vdb-entry
- [13808](http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/13808)  (exploit-db.com) exploit
- [blogs.technet.com/b/msrc/archive/2010/06/10/windows-help-vu…](http://blogs.technet.com/b/msrc/archive/2010/06/10/windows-help-vulnerability-disclosure.aspx)
- [microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2219475.mspx](http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2219475.mspx)
- [TA10-194A](http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-194A.html)  (us-cert.gov) third-party-advisory
- [oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11733](https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11733)  (oval.cisecurity.org) vdb-entry signature
- [ADV-2010-1417](http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/1417)  (vupen.com) vdb-entry
- [MS10-042](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2010/ms10-042)  (docs.microsoft.com) vendor-advisory
- [40076](http://secunia.com/advisories/40076)  (secunia.com) third-party-advisory

## Timeline

1. ID reserved May 11, 2010
2. Record published Jun 14, 2010
3. Record last updated Aug 7, 2024

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## About CubePath

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Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:59 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)