CVE-2010-3413 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the pop-up blocking functionality in Google Chrome before 6.0.472.59 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3413 represents a critical security flaw within Google Chrome's pop-up blocking mechanism, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.0.472.59. This issue falls under the broader category of denial of service vulnerabilities that can severely impact user experience and system stability. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that attackers could exploit multiple pathways within the pop-up blocking functionality to trigger application instability. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in web browsers where users frequently interact with third-party content and where the attack surface is inherently broad due to the dynamic nature of web environments.
The technical implementation of Chrome's pop-up blocking system involves complex interactions between the browser's rendering engine, JavaScript execution environment, and security policies that govern when and how pop-ups are allowed or blocked. When a flaw exists within this functionality, it creates opportunities for malicious actors to craft specific web content that can trigger memory corruption, invalid memory access, or other runtime errors that lead to application crashes. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign browser features can become attack vectors when not properly secured against malformed input or unexpected execution paths.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3413 extends beyond simple application instability, as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks within the broader context of browser-based exploitation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to repeatedly crash browser sessions, potentially disrupting user productivity and creating conditions where users might be more susceptible to other attack vectors. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-119, which addresses memory safety issues, and may also relate to CWE-122, concerning heap-based buffer overflows, depending on the specific exploitation method. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability fits within the ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for "Exploitation for Client Execution" and potentially T1499 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" when considering the broader impact on system availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates, which was the recommended approach for users of affected Chrome versions. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level controls that can detect and block suspicious pop-up behavior, though such measures are inherently limited in their effectiveness against this type of client-side vulnerability. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual browser crash patterns and memory access violations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation and memory safety practices in browser development, emphasizing that even features designed for user protection can become attack surfaces if not properly secured against malformed or malicious input. Organizations should also consider browser hardening techniques and user education to reduce exposure to such vulnerabilities in environments where multiple users interact with potentially untrusted web content.