CVE-2005-1790 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP2 6.0.2900.2180 and 6.0.2800.1106, and earlier versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and execute arbitrary code via a Javascript BODY onload event that calls the window function, aka "Mismatched Document Object Model Objects Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6.0.2900.2180 and 6.0.2800.1106, along with earlier releases. The flaw manifests when a malicious javascript payload executes a BODY onload event that invokes the window function, leading to a cascade of memory management failures within the browser's document object model implementation. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of object references during javascript execution, creating conditions where memory corruption occurs when the browser attempts to process the malformed document structure.
The technical exploitation mechanism leverages the mismatched document object model objects to trigger a memory corruption condition that can be manipulated to achieve arbitrary code execution. When Internet Explorer processes the malicious javascript code containing the BODY onload event with window function invocation, the browser's javascript engine fails to properly validate object references, leading to memory corruption in the heap allocation regions used for document object management. This memory corruption creates exploitable conditions where attackers can manipulate the execution flow of the browser process through controlled memory overwrite operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when viewed in affected browsers, will crash the browser process and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. This vulnerability affects the fundamental browser security model by allowing attackers to bypass standard security boundaries and execute malicious payloads directly within the browser context. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-125 as "Out-of-bounds Read" and is associated with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript," demonstrating how web-based scripting can be weaponized for system compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for affected Microsoft Internet Explorer versions, as well as implementing browser security restrictions such as disabling javascript execution in untrusted environments. Network-based protections can include web application firewalls that detect and block malicious javascript patterns, while endpoint protection solutions should monitor for suspicious memory access patterns and process behavior anomalies. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary javascript features, restricting ActiveX controls, and employing sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated and maintaining robust security monitoring practices to detect and respond to exploitation attempts targeting legacy browser components.