CVE-2010-0489 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4, 6, 6 SP1, and 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML document that triggers memory corruption, aka "Race Condition Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0489 represents a critical race condition flaw affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer spanning from version 5.01 Service Pack 4 through Internet Explorer 7. This vulnerability resides within the browser's memory management mechanisms and specifically targets the handling of HTML documents that contain crafted malicious content. The race condition occurs during the processing of certain memory operations where timing dependencies create opportunities for exploitation. According to CWE-362, this vulnerability maps directly to a race condition weakness where concurrent operations can lead to unpredictable behavior and security breaches. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer processes specially crafted HTML elements that trigger memory corruption during the rendering or execution phases.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent timing inconsistencies in how Internet Explorer manages memory allocation and deallocation during HTML document processing. Attackers craft malicious HTML documents that, when rendered by the affected browser versions, create conditions where memory pointers become invalid or corrupted due to the race condition. This memory corruption can then be manipulated to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the browser. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted email attachment. The exploitability factor is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability affects such a wide range of Internet Explorer versions, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with legacy systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0489 extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially enable broader security breaches within corporate networks. When exploited, the vulnerability can provide attackers with a foothold to escalate privileges, install persistent backdoors, or launch further attacks against network resources. The memory corruption aspect of the flaw means that attackers can potentially bypass security mechanisms such as DEP (Data Execution Prevention) and ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) if these protections are not properly implemented. Organizations running affected Internet Explorer versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) is relevant as attackers often use PowerShell scripts to maintain persistence after initial exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including applying Microsoft security patches released in response to this flaw, which were distributed through Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious HTML content. Browser hardening measures including disabling Active Scripting and ActiveX controls for untrusted sites can reduce the attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running affected Internet Explorer versions. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Organizations should consider migrating to more modern browsers that have better security track records and more frequent updates. The remediation process must also include thorough testing of patches to ensure compatibility with existing applications and systems. According to Microsoft's security advisory, this vulnerability was addressed through the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-002 which provided comprehensive patch details for all affected versions.