CVE-2006-0753 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via JavaScript that uses setInterval to repeatedly call a function to set the value of window.status.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0753 represents a critical memory management flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 running on Windows XP Service Pack 2 systems. This issue stems from improper handling of JavaScript memory allocation within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing repeated asynchronous function calls. The flaw manifests when malicious JavaScript code employs the setInterval function to continuously invoke a function that modifies the window.status property, creating a persistent memory allocation loop that gradually consumes available system resources.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through a memory leak mechanism where the browser fails to properly release memory allocated for JavaScript objects and DOM elements. The setInterval function creates a recurring execution context that repeatedly sets the window.status property, but the underlying browser engine does not effectively garbage collect the associated memory segments. This behavior aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation in software systems, particularly in web browser environments where JavaScript execution contexts accumulate without proper cleanup.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource consumption, creating significant security implications for affected systems. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious web content that triggers the memory leak pattern, potentially leading to complete system instability or unresponsiveness. The memory consumption occurs gradually over time, making it difficult to detect immediately, while the cumulative effect can render the browser completely unusable and potentially impact system performance for other applications. This type of denial of service attack directly violates the availability principles of the CIA triad and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1499.1 for network denial of service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0753 primarily focus on immediate patching and browser hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the underlying memory management issues in Internet Explorer 6, though organizations should also implement browser security policies that limit JavaScript execution capabilities. Network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent exploitation by blocking malicious JavaScript content. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing memory monitoring tools to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and demonstrates how seemingly minor memory management flaws can create significant operational risks in enterprise environments.