CVE-2010-1208 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the attribute-cloning functionality in the DOM implementation in Mozilla Firefox 3.5.x before 3.5.11 and 3.6.x before 3.6.7, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.6, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to deletion of an event attribute node with a nonzero reference count.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1208 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Document Object Model implementation of Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers. This security issue specifically targets the attribute-cloning functionality that handles DOM elements and their associated event attributes. The flaw manifests when the browser attempts to delete an event attribute node that maintains a nonzero reference count, creating a scenario where memory previously allocated to that object becomes accessible for reuse before proper cleanup occurs. This fundamental memory management error creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the browser's handling of DOM elements and their associated attributes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper reference counting mechanisms within the DOM engine's attribute cloning processes. When an event attribute node undergoes deletion while still maintaining active references, the browser's memory management system fails to properly track the object's lifecycle. This creates a dangling pointer condition where freed memory can be reallocated and accessed by subsequent operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the normal operation of web page rendering when JavaScript or other DOM manipulation code attempts to clone or modify attribute nodes. The use-after-free condition allows attackers to manipulate the freed memory location to contain malicious code that will execute when the browser attempts to access the reclaimed memory space.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to web application security and user safety. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger the specific sequence of operations leading to the use-after-free condition, enabling arbitrary code execution on the target system. The exploit requires no user interaction beyond visiting the malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. The vulnerability affects major browser versions including Firefox 3.5.x before 3.5.11, 3.6.x before 3.6.7, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.6, representing a significant portion of the browser user base at the time of discovery. This flaw aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory vulnerability, and represents a classic example of improper memory management in web browser implementations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of code injection. The attacker leverages the browser's DOM manipulation capabilities to create a memory corruption condition that results in arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, as attackers can leverage the executed code to download and install additional malware or establish persistent access to the compromised system. Security researchers have documented that this particular vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other techniques to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. Organizations implementing security controls should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat modeling efforts, particularly when evaluating browser-based attack vectors and their potential for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1208 primarily focus on immediate browser updates and version management. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to patched versions of Firefox 3.5.11, 3.6.7, or SeaMonkey 2.0.6, which contain proper memory management fixes for the attribute-cloning functionality. Additionally, organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and utilizing sandboxing technologies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for known exploit patterns associated with this vulnerability. Regular vulnerability assessment procedures should include checking browser versions and ensuring timely patch deployment to prevent exploitation of this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.