CVE-2010-2900 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 5.0.375.125 does not properly handle a large canvas, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2900 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 5.0.375.125 and relates to improper handling of large canvas elements within the browser's rendering engine. This flaw exists within the chromium-based browser's implementation of html5 canvas functionality, which is used to render graphics and visual content on web pages through javascript. The issue stems from inadequate memory management and boundary checking when processing canvas objects that exceed normal size parameters, creating potential exploitation opportunities for remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's failure to properly validate canvas dimensions and memory allocation when processing large canvas elements. When a web page attempts to create or manipulate a canvas with excessively large dimensions, the browser's rendering engine does not adequately restrict or sanitize these parameters, potentially leading to memory corruption or heap overflow conditions. This type of flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and memory safety issues that are commonly classified under CWE-122, which deals with insufficient synchronization of memory allocation and deallocation operations. The vulnerability can be exploited through malicious web content that triggers the problematic canvas handling code path, allowing attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2900 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it represents a potential remote code execution vector that could be leveraged by attackers to compromise user systems. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow remote attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The unspecified impact and attack vectors mentioned in the original description indicate that the vulnerability could be exploited in multiple ways, including through drive-by downloads, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites that render crafted canvas content. This aligns with the attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through browser-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates and patches provided by Google to address the specific canvas handling implementation flaws. Users should ensure their Chrome installations are updated to version 5.0.375.125 or later where the vulnerability has been resolved through improved input validation and memory management for canvas elements. Additionally, security administrators can implement browser security policies that restrict canvas usage or limit the maximum canvas dimensions allowed in web content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can also help detect and block malicious content that attempts to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of browser configurations and security policies to ensure that the patch has been properly applied and that no regressions have been introduced in legitimate web applications that rely on canvas functionality.