CVE-2010-3343 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 "HTML Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3343 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 that stems from improper handling of objects within memory management structures. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's object model implementation where objects that are either not properly initialized or have been deleted are still accessible to malicious code execution. The flaw occurs during the processing of HTML content where Internet Explorer fails to maintain proper object lifecycle management, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running browser process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions that can occur when software accesses memory locations beyond the intended boundaries. In the context of Internet Explorer 6, this manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability where attackers can manipulate the browser's memory management to execute code remotely. The vulnerability operates through the exploitation of uninitialized or freed memory objects, allowing attackers to craft malicious web content that triggers the memory corruption when the browser attempts to access these improperly managed objects.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer 6 remains in use, as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The attack vector leverages the browser's HTML parsing and object model handling to corrupt memory structures, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in corporate environments where legacy systems may not receive timely updates, as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without any special privileges or user consent.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install malware, establish persistent backdoors, or conduct further reconnaissance activities within the compromised network. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the browser exploitation phase of cyber attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, network-based protections, and user education to prevent exploitation of this memory corruption vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3343 should prioritize the immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and the implementation of browser hardening measures. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, network segmentation, and web application firewalls to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit this specific memory corruption vulnerability. Given the age of Internet Explorer 6 and the lack of continued security support, organizations should prioritize migration to supported browser versions as the most effective long-term solution to prevent exploitation of this and similar legacy vulnerabilities.