CVE-2010-5196: Untrusted search path vulnerability in KeePass Password Safe before 2.13 allows local users to gain privileges

Q: How do I fix CVE-2010-5196?

password safe: upgrade to newer than 2.10. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2010-5196 being exploited?

CVE-2010-5196 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2010-5196 affect?

CVE-2010-5196 affects password safe. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.9). Untrusted search path vulnerability in KeePass Password Safe before 2.13 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DwmApi.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .kdbx file.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2010-5196?

Priority 36/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 6.9UPGRADE

CVE-2010-5196 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.9) affecting password safe. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Untrusted search path vulnerability in KeePass Password Safe before 2.13 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DwmApi.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .kdbx file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.9 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 52%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2012-09-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: keepass

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-09-06 10:41 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:26 UTCUpdated Record last modified

keepass password safe UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.10 · 1.6

Fixed in: newer than 2.10

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy password-safe || rpm -q password-safe || password-safe --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.10 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade password-safe

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade password-safe

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2010-5196?

password safe: upgrade to newer than 2.10. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2010-5196 being exploited?

CVE-2010-5196 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2010-5196 affect?

CVE-2010-5196 affects password safe. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.9). Untrusted search path vulnerability in KeePass Password Safe before 2.13 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DwmApi.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .kdbx file.

How urgent is CVE-2010-5196?

Priority 36/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2006-1378 MEDIUM 4.9 DOWNGRADE PasswordSafe 3.0 beta, when running on Windows before XP, uses a weak random number generator (C++ rand functi

References

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