CVE-2010-1730 in Dolphin Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Dolphin Browser 2.5.0 on the HTC Hero allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via JavaScript that writes <marquee> sequences in an infinite loop.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1730 represents a classic denial of service flaw affecting the Dolphin Browser version 2.5.0 running on HTC Hero devices. This issue stems from the browser's inadequate handling of malicious JavaScript code that exploits the marquee HTML element, creating a scenario where the application becomes unresponsive and crashes. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's rendering engine's inability to properly manage infinite loop conditions within marquee sequences, leading to resource exhaustion and system instability. The attack vector is particularly insidious as it requires no special privileges or authentication, making it easily exploitable through web-based attacks that could be delivered via malicious websites or compromised web content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the browser's JavaScript engine and HTML rendering capabilities, specifically how it processes the marquee element when subjected to infinite looping conditions. When a JavaScript payload containing a marquee tag with infinite repetition parameters is executed, the browser's rendering process enters an uncontrolled loop that consumes excessive CPU resources and memory allocation. This behavior constitutes a weakness in the application's input validation and resource management mechanisms, as the browser fails to implement proper bounds checking or timeout mechanisms for HTML elements that could potentially cause infinite execution paths. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes improper resource management and lack of input sanitization as fundamental security flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1730 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially compromise user experience and device functionality. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the Dolphin Browser to become completely unresponsive, requiring manual device restart to restore normal operation. This denial of service condition affects not only the targeted browser application but can also impact the overall device performance, as the infinite loop consumes system resources that could otherwise be allocated to legitimate processes. Users may experience unexpected application crashes, system slowdowns, and potential data loss if they are actively using the browser during exploitation. The vulnerability also creates a risk for mobile device management in enterprise environments where such instability could affect productivity and device availability.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and resource management in web browser implementations. The attack pattern follows typical denial of service methodologies where an attacker can cause system instability through carefully crafted malicious content. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability when assessing mobile browser security, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Mitigation strategies should include browser updates, implementation of content filtering mechanisms, and user education about avoiding suspicious web content. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments of mobile browser implementations, as the attack surface for mobile devices continues to expand with increasing web content complexity. Organizations should implement network-level protections and consider mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities in their mobile device fleets.