CVE-2010-0267 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 6 SP1, and 7 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing an object that (1) was not properly initialized or (2) is deleted, leading to memory corruption, aka "Uninitialized Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6, 6 SP1, and 7 that stems from improper handling of objects in memory. The issue manifests when the browser encounters objects that either failed to initialize correctly or were already deleted from memory, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate memory contents to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in the cybersecurity community.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages uninitialized memory access patterns. When Internet Explorer processes web content, it creates various objects in memory to handle different elements such as HTML components, JavaScript objects, or ActiveX controls. The flaw emerges when the browser fails to properly initialize these objects or attempts to access objects that have already been freed from memory. This creates a scenario where malicious code can overwrite memory locations with attacker-controlled data, ultimately leading to code execution. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-476 which describes NULL Pointer Dereference, though the specific manifestation involves uninitialized memory corruption rather than simple pointer dereference.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, particularly given the widespread deployment of these older Internet Explorer versions in corporate and enterprise environments during the early 2010 timeframe. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that, when viewed in affected browsers, would trigger the memory corruption condition and allow remote code execution. This capability enables attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation through browser-based attacks.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability required immediate patching through Microsoft's security updates, as the underlying memory management issues could not be resolved through configuration changes or workarounds. Organizations needed to deploy Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-004 which addressed the uninitialized memory corruption issue in Internet Explorer. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of keeping browser software updated and the risks associated with running outdated software versions that contain known security flaws. Network security measures such as web application firewalls and browser isolation techniques could provide additional defense in depth, though they were not sufficient to prevent exploitation of this specific memory corruption vulnerability. This vulnerability contributed significantly to the broader understanding of browser security and the importance of robust memory management practices in client-side applications.