CVE-2010-2107 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Google Chrome before 5.0.375.55 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory error) or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to the Safe Browsing functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2107 represents a critical security flaw within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 5.0.375.55, specifically affecting the Safe Browsing functionality implementation. This issue falls under the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited to disrupt normal browser operations. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though the impact clearly demonstrates a significant risk to system stability and user security. Safe Browsing functionality is designed to protect users from malicious websites and downloads by maintaining lists of known threats and monitoring user interactions with potentially harmful content.
The technical flaw manifests through memory errors that occur when Chrome processes certain elements related to Safe Browsing checks. These memory-related issues can lead to memory corruption, which in turn can cause the browser to crash or behave unpredictably during Safe Browsing operations. The vulnerability's potential for causing denial of service means that attackers can craft specific web content or URLs that trigger memory errors when Chrome attempts to verify these elements against the Safe Browsing database. This creates a scenario where legitimate browser functionality becomes compromised, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt user sessions or force browser termination. The unspecified nature of the other potential impacts suggests that beyond simple denial of service, there may be additional security implications that could include information disclosure or privilege escalation possibilities.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who rely on Chrome for their browsing activities, particularly in enterprise environments where browser stability and security are paramount. The fact that the vulnerability affects Safe Browsing functionality is especially concerning since this component is critical for protecting users from malware and phishing attacks. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to either disrupt legitimate browsing sessions or potentially use the memory corruption as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's presence in older Chrome versions indicates a pattern of memory management issues that were not properly addressed in the browser's security architecture. Organizations using affected Chrome versions would experience increased risk of service disruption and potential security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2107 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 5.0.375.55 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should prioritize patch management to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing network-level controls to monitor and filter potentially malicious Safe Browsing requests, though this approach is less effective than direct browser updates. Organizations should also consider deploying browser security extensions or sandboxing solutions to add additional layers of protection. The vulnerability's impact aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and potentially CWE-119, concerning memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under the technique of privilege escalation and denial of service within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the browser's core security functions. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include verification of browser versions to ensure compliance with security baselines and prevent exploitation of this and similar historical vulnerabilities.