CVE-2010-0160 in SeaMonkey
Summary
by MITRE
The Web Worker functionality in Mozilla Firefox 3.0.x before 3.0.18 and 3.5.x before 3.5.8, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.3, does not properly handle array data types for posted messages, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0160 represents a critical heap memory corruption issue within the Web Worker implementation of Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers. This flaw specifically affects versions prior to the mentioned security patches, creating a dangerous condition where malicious actors can exploit improper handling of array data types during message posting operations. The vulnerability resides in the browser's multi-threaded execution environment where Web Workers operate independently from the main browser thread, yet share memory spaces that can become corrupted when processing malformed array structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of array data types when messages are posted between the main thread and Web Worker contexts. When Firefox processes these malformed arrays, the memory management system fails to properly validate or sanitize the data structures, leading to heap corruption that can result in application crashes or more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. This type of memory corruption vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in multi-threaded environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to compromise user systems. Attackers can craft malicious web pages containing specially crafted array data structures that, when processed by the vulnerable browser's Web Worker functionality, trigger memory corruption patterns. This vulnerability particularly affects users who frequently access untrusted websites or encounter malicious content through social engineering attacks, as the exploitation can occur entirely within the browser without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised site.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of multi-threaded browser environments and the challenges of memory management in concurrent execution contexts. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Web Workers are commonly used in modern web applications for background processing, making this vulnerability potentially widespread across various legitimate web applications. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions and implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious array structures. The remediation strategy should also include user education about avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated browser versions, as this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the browser's memory handling mechanisms that could be exploited through various attack vectors including drive-by downloads and compromised websites.
This vulnerability classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers Scripting through web-based attacks, and represents a sophisticated exploitation of browser internals that requires careful monitoring and protection measures. The remediation process involves not just patch management but also comprehensive security auditing of web applications that utilize Web Worker functionality to ensure no malicious code can exploit similar memory handling flaws in the broader ecosystem.