CVE-2010-1117 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Internet Explorer 8 on Microsoft Windows 7 allows remote attackers to discover the base address of a Windows .dll file, and possibly have unspecified other impact, via unknown vectors, as demonstrated by Peter Vreugdenhil during a Pwn2Own competition at CanSecWest 2010.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw in Internet Explorer 8 running on Windows 7 systems. The issue manifests as a heap corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution through carefully crafted malicious content delivered via web browsers. The vulnerability was particularly significant because it was demonstrated during the prestigious Pwn2Own competition, which validates the exploitability of such flaws in real-world scenarios. The attack vector leverages unknown vectors that allow remote adversaries to manipulate heap memory structures in the browser's memory space, creating conditions for arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Internet Explorer 8's heap allocation mechanisms. When processing certain malformed input or web content, the browser fails to properly validate buffer boundaries during heap operations, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability specifically targets the heap memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be used to manipulate the execution flow of the browser process. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-119, which covers weaknesses related to the use of unsafe buffer operations and improper memory handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include information disclosure capabilities that allow attackers to discover the base addresses of Windows dynamic link libraries. This information disclosure aspect is particularly concerning as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the memory layout of the target system, making subsequent attacks more precise and effective. The ability to determine DLL base addresses enables sophisticated exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming attacks or information leakage for bypassing exploit mitigations like ASLR. During the Pwn2Own demonstration, this vulnerability was shown to be fully exploitable with a complete remote code execution capability.
The security implications of this vulnerability are substantial as it affects a widely deployed browser on a popular operating system platform. Windows 7 was extensively used in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise large numbers of systems. The fact that this vulnerability was demonstrated in a competitive security event validates its practical exploitability and highlights the need for immediate remediation. Organizations running Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7 systems faced significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability could be exploited without user interaction through drive-by downloads or malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates and patches that address the heap overflow conditions in Internet Explorer 8. System administrators should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing enhanced security zones, and deploying application whitelisting solutions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping browser software updated and maintaining robust patch management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and deploy exploit prevention technologies that can detect and block known attack patterns associated with heap-based buffer overflow exploits. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and downloading content from unknown sources.