CVE-2010-3340 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and 7 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 "HTML Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3340 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 and 7 that fundamentally compromises the browser's memory management mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 category of "Improper Access to Memory Location" and specifically manifests as an issue with how the browser handles object lifecycle management in memory. The flaw occurs when Internet Explorer processes HTML objects that have either not been properly initialized or have already been deleted from memory, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate memory contents through crafted web content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the browser's failure to properly validate object states during memory operations, creating opportunities for remote code execution through memory corruption attacks. When Internet Explorer encounters improperly managed objects during HTML parsing or script execution, it fails to perform adequate bounds checking or state validation before accessing memory locations. This memory corruption can occur through various vectors including malformed HTML elements, JavaScript objects, or ActiveX controls that trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the affected browser, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on older Internet Explorer versions, as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack surface is broad since the flaw exists in core browser functionality that processes standard web content, making it difficult to defend against through traditional network security measures. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers could leverage the memory corruption to bypass security boundaries and gain elevated system access. Security analysts have noted that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell" when exploited, as successful exploitation often leads to command execution capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deploying Microsoft security updates, implementing browser hardening measures, and considering the deployment of modern browser alternatives that have addressed these memory management flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper object lifecycle management in browser security architectures and highlights the risks associated with legacy software support. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though the most effective mitigation remains the immediate upgrade to supported browser versions. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns and ensure that legacy systems are properly isolated from critical network segments to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs.