CVE-2009-2540 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera, possibly 9.64 and earlier, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a large integer value for the length property of a Select object, a related issue to CVE-2009-1692.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2540 affects Opera web browsers version 9.64 and earlier, representing a denial of service flaw that specifically targets the handling of Select objects within the browser's rendering engine. This issue falls under the category of memory consumption attacks where malicious actors can exploit a specific property of HTML select elements to trigger excessive resource usage. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it demonstrates how seemingly benign HTML elements can be manipulated to cause system instability and resource exhaustion.
The technical flaw manifests when a Select object's length property is assigned an excessively large integer value, causing the browser to allocate an enormous amount of memory to process this invalid input. This memory allocation behavior represents a classic buffer overflow or resource exhaustion vulnerability where the browser's JavaScript engine fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to allocate memory resources. The flaw is related to CVE-2009-1692, indicating a broader pattern of issues within Opera's handling of HTML form elements and their associated properties. This vulnerability maps to CWE-770, which describes allocation of resources without limits or with inadequate limits, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for resource exhaustion attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser instability, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to consume system resources and potentially cause system-wide performance degradation. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete browser crashes, application hangs, and in some cases, system-wide resource exhaustion that affects other running applications. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed through malicious web pages, making it particularly dangerous for end users who may encounter such content while browsing the web. This type of vulnerability represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where browser stability directly impacts productivity and system reliability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate browser updates to versions that address the specific memory handling issue with Select objects. System administrators should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and monitoring for unusual memory consumption patterns. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious content that attempts to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include user education about avoiding untrusted web content and implementing proper patch management procedures to ensure all systems receive timely security updates. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for browser processes to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts and prevent potential lateral movement within the network.