CVE-2009-0341 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
The shell32 module in Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 on Windows XP SP3 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long VALUE attribute in an INPUT element, possibly related to a stack consumption vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0341 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue within the shell32 module of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 running on Windows XP Service Pack 3 systems. This flaw specifically manifests when processing HTML input elements containing excessively long VALUE attributes, creating a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted web content. The vulnerability resides in the way Internet Explorer handles input validation for HTML form elements, particularly focusing on the parsing and processing of attribute values within INPUT tags. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious web pages that contain INPUT elements with extraordinarily long VALUE attributes, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack overflow pattern where the excessive length of the VALUE attribute causes the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries within the stack segment. This memory corruption occurs during the parsing phase when Internet Explorer attempts to process the malformed INPUT element, leading to unpredictable behavior including application crashes or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level, requiring no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack vector leverages the inherent trust users place in web browsers, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. According to CWE-121, this represents a stack-based buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows for memory corruption, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under the T1059.007 sub-technique for script-based attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0341 extends beyond simple exploitation, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where Internet Explorer 7.0 remains in use. Organizations running Windows XP SP3 systems with IE7 are particularly vulnerable, as these configurations lack modern security mitigations such as DEP (Data Execution Prevention) and ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) that would otherwise complicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or local network presence, making it ideal for large-scale attacks. Security professionals must understand that this vulnerability can be chained with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack vectors, and the memory corruption can be leveraged to bypass security controls. The exploitability is further enhanced by the fact that modern browsers have largely deprecated support for IE7, leaving legacy systems exposed to this and similar vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0341 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. Microsoft's official patch for this vulnerability involves updating Internet Explorer to versions that properly validate input attributes and implement proper bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to newer browser versions or implementing browser isolation techniques such as IE Tab or virtualization solutions to contain potential exploitation attempts. Network-based mitigations include implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malformed HTML content containing excessively long attribute values. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify systems running vulnerable configurations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting user permissions and disabling unnecessary browser features. Additionally, regular security awareness training for personnel helps prevent social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability. From a compliance perspective, organizations must ensure their security configurations align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-123 and ISO 27001 requirements for vulnerability management and incident response procedures.