CVE-2010-2558 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via vectors related to an object in memory, aka "Race Condition Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2021
The CVE-2010-2558 vulnerability represents a critical race condition flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6, 7, and 8, classified under CWE-362 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. This vulnerability arises from improper synchronization mechanisms during object lifecycle management within the browser's memory handling processes, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute malicious code or induce system crashes. The flaw specifically manifests when Internet Explorer processes objects in memory, where concurrent access patterns create opportunities for memory corruption that bypasses normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the timing discrepancies between object creation, manipulation, and destruction operations within the browser's rendering engine. Attackers can craft malicious web content that triggers specific sequences of memory operations, causing the browser to access freed memory locations or manipulate objects in ways that corrupt memory structures. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution when the corrupted memory is subsequently accessed by the browser's execution engine, or result in denial of service conditions when the corruption causes the browser to crash or become unresponsive. The race condition occurs because the browser's memory management system does not adequately synchronize access to shared objects, allowing multiple threads or processes to interfere with each other's operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where legacy Internet Explorer versions remain in use, as these browsers were widely deployed in corporate networks and government systems. The exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can remotely compromise systems simply by persuading users to visit malicious websites, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attacks against organizations. The memory corruption can result in complete system compromise when successful, allowing attackers to execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the user running the browser. Additionally, the vulnerability affects the browser's stability and can be used for persistent denial of service attacks that prevent legitimate users from accessing web resources.
Security mitigations for CVE-2010-2558 should focus on immediate remediation through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying race condition by implementing proper synchronization mechanisms in the browser's memory management system. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and using application whitelisting to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and control through compromised browsers, making it a critical target for defensive security operations. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts, though the most effective protection remains timely patch management and user education about avoiding untrusted web content.