CVE-2010-3328 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the CAttrArray::PrivateFind function in mshtml.dll in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by setting an unspecified property of a stylesheet object, aka "Uninitialized Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3328 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Microsoft Internet Explorer's mshtml.dll component, affecting versions 6 through 8. This flaw resides in the CAttrArray::PrivateFind function which handles stylesheet object properties, creating a scenario where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed, leading to potential code execution. The vulnerability operates through an uninitialized memory corruption mechanism that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Internet Explorer's HTML parsing engine. When processing stylesheet objects, the CAttrArray::PrivateFind function fails to properly validate or initialize memory structures before accessing them, resulting in a use-after-free condition. This condition occurs when an attacker can manipulate the properties of a stylesheet object to trigger the vulnerable code path, causing the application to access memory that has already been deallocated. The flaw specifically manifests when setting an unspecified property of a stylesheet object, which leads to the corruption of uninitialized memory regions that are then subsequently executed as code.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to enterprise security environments as it allows remote code execution without user interaction, enabling attackers to compromise systems simply by visiting malicious web pages. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages the browser's native HTML processing capabilities, making exploitation straightforward and difficult to detect. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user systems to potentially affect entire network infrastructures, as compromised systems can serve as entry points for broader attacks. Security researchers have classified this as a high-severity issue due to its remote exploitability and the potential for privilege escalation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use-after-free conditions in software development, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and control through application layer protocols. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, security patches, and network-based protections such as web application firewalls. Additionally, implementing security awareness training and monitoring for unusual browser behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation strategy should prioritize immediate patch deployment, followed by network segmentation and access controls to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Security teams should also consider implementing exploit prevention measures such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts.