CVE-2010-3326 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing an object that (1) was not properly initialized or (2) is deleted, leading to memory corruption, aka "Uninitialized Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3326 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 that stems from improper handling of objects in memory. This issue manifests when the browser encounters objects that either lack proper initialization or have been deleted from memory, creating conditions where malicious actors can exploit these memory states to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the memory management mechanisms within IE6, which were designed without adequate safeguards against accessing improperly managed object references.
This memory corruption vulnerability operates through a classic uninitialized memory access pattern that falls under CWE-457, which describes the use of uninitialized variables or memory locations. The flaw occurs during the browser's processing of web content where objects are created but not properly initialized before use, or where objects are accessed after being freed from memory. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger these conditions by manipulating object creation and destruction sequences, leading to predictable memory corruption patterns that can be exploited for code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter compromised web content through phishing attacks or compromised websites. The vulnerability affects the core browser functionality and can be leveraged to install malware, steal credentials, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The exploitation typically requires the attacker to understand the specific memory layout and timing conditions necessary to achieve reliable code execution.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving memory corruption exploits and privilege escalation through browser-based attacks. The vulnerability can be categorized under T1059 for command and script interpreter execution, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations can mitigate this vulnerability through immediate patching of IE6 installations, implementation of security updates, and deployment of web application firewalls. Browser isolation techniques and sandboxing measures can also provide additional protection layers. The remediation process requires comprehensive testing to ensure that updates do not break existing legacy applications while maintaining security posture. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromise scenarios.