CVE-2010-1504 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Google Chrome before 4.1.249.1059 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to a chrome://downloads URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1504 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Google Chrome browser versions prior to 4.1.249.1059. This security weakness specifically targets the browser's handling of chrome://downloads URIs, which are part of Chrome's internal protocol system designed to provide access to the browser's download manager interface. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within Chrome's implementation of these privileged URIs, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to execute arbitrary code within the browser context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of chrome://downloads URIs that contain unvalidated user input or crafted parameters. When a user visits a maliciously crafted web page containing such URI references, the browser processes these requests without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. This injection can occur because Chrome's security model does not properly enforce the same-origin policy or input validation restrictions for internal chrome protocol URIs, particularly those related to download management functionality. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass the normal security boundaries that protect against cross-site scripting attacks by leveraging the browser's own privileged protocols against itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the Chrome browser. This capability enables a wide range of malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, data exfiltration, and the installation of additional malware. Attackers can craft phishing pages that appear legitimate to users while simultaneously executing malicious scripts that harvest sensitive information or redirect users to compromised sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level, potentially allowing attackers to access cookies, cached data, and other sensitive information stored within the browser's secure context. This represents a significant threat to user privacy and system security, as the attack vector involves no local privilege escalation and can be executed through simple web page visits.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1504 primarily focus on immediate browser updates and enhanced input validation measures. Users should immediately upgrade to Google Chrome version 4.1.249.1059 or later, which includes patches addressing the specific XSS vulnerability in chrome://downloads URI handling. Organizations should implement web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts from untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, Cross-site Scripting, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web-based interfaces. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary chrome protocol access, enforcing strict content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious URI patterns in network traffic. Additionally, user education regarding phishing awareness and safe browsing practices remains critical in preventing exploitation of such vulnerabilities.