CVE-2008-5750 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Argument injection vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 on Windows XP SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the --renderer-path option in a chromehtml: URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5750 represents a critical argument injection flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 running on Windows XP Service Pack 3 systems. This security weakness specifically targets the browser's handling of chromehtml: URIs which are used to access internal browser components and administrative functions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing command-line arguments passed through these specialized URI schemes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands into the browser's execution context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the --renderer-path option within chromehtml: URIs, which allows attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and execute code with the privileges of the running Internet Explorer process. This flaw operates at the operating system level where command-line arguments are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can leverage the browser's elevated privileges to perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability exists because the browser fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied arguments before passing them to system-level functions, creating a classic command injection scenario that aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution as it provides attackers with a means to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire system. Since Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 runs with elevated privileges on Windows XP systems, successful exploitation could allow attackers to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector through chromehtml: URIs is particularly concerning as these are legitimate browser components that users might encounter during normal browsing activities, making the attack surface more accessible and harder to detect. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems with the appropriate Microsoft security updates, as the flaw exists in a beta version of Internet Explorer that was never released to the public. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as URI filtering and content restriction policies to prevent access to potentially malicious chromehtml: URIs. Additionally, security configurations should enforce strict input validation for all browser components and disable unnecessary administrative features that could be exploited through argument injection. The remediation approach should follow established security frameworks that emphasize defense in depth, including regular security assessments, privilege separation, and comprehensive monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.