CVE-2010-0492 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in mstime.dll in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the TIME2 behavior, the CTimeAction object, and destruction of markup, leading to memory corruption, aka "HTML Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0492 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the mstime.dll component of Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, fundamentally compromising the browser's memory management integrity. This flaw specifically manifests when the browser processes certain HTML elements that trigger the TIME2 behavior, which is part of the Windows Media Player ActiveX control functionality. The vulnerability occurs during the handling of CTimeAction objects, which are used to manage time-based media playback events, and becomes particularly dangerous when combined with markup destruction sequences that occur during document processing. The underlying technical mechanism involves the improper handling of object references where memory allocated to objects is freed while still being referenced by other components, creating a scenario where subsequent operations can access already deallocated memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to enable remote code execution capabilities that align with attack patterns documented under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution. When exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious code into the browser process memory space, potentially escalating privileges and gaining full system control. The attack vector specifically leverages HTML content that triggers the problematic TIME2 behavior through CTimeAction objects, where the destruction of markup elements creates conditions that cause the use-after-free scenario. This vulnerability affects Windows operating systems running Internet Explorer 8 and demonstrates how ActiveX controls can serve as attack surfaces when not properly validated or secured against malicious input.
Microsoft's vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory condition, and the vulnerability's exploitation pattern matches the characteristics of heap-based memory corruption vulnerabilities that are commonly targeted by advanced persistent threat actors. The attack requires an attacker to deliver malicious HTML content through web-based vectors, typically via phishing campaigns or compromised websites, where the victim's browser automatically processes the malicious markup. The exploitation process involves crafting HTML content that triggers the specific sequence of events leading to memory corruption, which then allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Internet Explorer. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management in browser components and demonstrates how legacy ActiveX controls can introduce significant security risks when not properly sandboxed or validated against malicious input patterns. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, security policy restrictions on ActiveX controls, and network-based protections to prevent exploitation attempts.