CVE-2010-1233 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in Google Chrome before 4.1.249.1036 allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via vectors involving WebKit JavaScript objects.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1233 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browser versions prior to 4.1.249.1036, specifically affecting the WebKit JavaScript engine component. This issue stems from multiple integer overflow conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern browser security architectures where JavaScript engines must handle numerous data types and memory operations that can become attack vectors when not properly validated.
Integer overflows occur when a calculation produces a result that exceeds the maximum value that can be stored in the allocated memory space, causing the value to wrap around to a smaller number. In the context of web browsers, these vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered through seemingly benign web content that a user visits. The WebKit JavaScript engine in Chrome handles complex object manipulations and memory allocations that, when subjected to malicious input, can lead to predictable memory corruption patterns. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1233 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as integer overflows can potentially lead to code execution within the browser's memory space. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in vulnerable Chrome versions, trigger these overflow conditions in JavaScript objects. The unspecified impact mentioned in the description indicates that the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged for various malicious activities including but not limited to arbitrary code execution, information disclosure, or privilege escalation. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can exploit browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious scripts. The remote nature of the attack means that users do not need to perform any special actions beyond visiting a compromised website, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or malicious advertising networks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to understand the specific memory layout and object management patterns within Chrome's WebKit implementation. Successful exploitation typically involves crafting JavaScript code that manipulates object properties and array indices in ways that cause integer overflow conditions during memory allocation or indexing operations. Security researchers and attackers alike have documented how such vulnerabilities can be chained with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack vectors. The fact that this vulnerability affected multiple WebKit JavaScript objects indicates a systemic issue in how the engine handles integer arithmetic operations, suggesting that the flaw may have been present in several related code paths rather than isolated to a single function or module. Organizations and users were advised to upgrade to Chrome version 4.1.249.1036 or later to mitigate this risk, as the patch would have addressed the specific integer overflow conditions that were being exploited in the wild. This vulnerability also highlighted the importance of regular security updates and the need for robust input validation in complex software systems like web browsers that must process untrusted data from multiple sources.