CVE-2010-3729 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The SPDY protocol implementation in Google Chrome before 6.0.472.62 does not properly manage buffers, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3729 represents a critical buffer management flaw within the SPDY protocol implementation in Google Chrome versions prior to 6.0.472.62. This issue stems from improper handling of memory buffers during SPDY protocol operations, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by remote adversaries to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The SPDY protocol, designed to improve web performance by reducing latency through multiplexing and compression, became a security liability due to inadequate buffer management practices in the Chrome browser implementation.
The technical flaw manifests in how Chrome's SPDY stack handles memory allocation and deallocation during protocol processing. Buffer overflows or underflows can occur when the implementation fails to properly validate buffer sizes or manage memory boundaries during data transmission and reception. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Buffer Overflow, specifically involving stack-based or heap-based buffer overflows that can be triggered through malformed SPDY protocol data. Attackers can craft malicious SPDY frames or data streams that cause the browser to allocate insufficient memory buffers or overwrite adjacent memory regions, leading to code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it affects the core browsing functionality and user security posture. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard browser security mechanisms and potentially gain full control over affected systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning because SPDY protocol implementation is integral to modern web browsing performance optimizations, making it a persistent threat vector. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including compromised websites, malicious network intermediaries, or through man-in-the-middle attacks that inject malicious SPDY data into web traffic. The attack complexity is relatively low since it requires only the ability to influence SPDY protocol traffic, which can be achieved through network-level attacks or compromised web servers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3729 focus primarily on updating Chrome to version 6.0.472.62 or later, which includes proper buffer management fixes and protocol handling improvements. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual SPDY protocol traffic patterns and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. Browser hardening measures including disabling SPDY protocol support when not required, implementing strict content security policies, and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all browser installations provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper memory management practices in network protocol implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve code injection through buffer overflow conditions. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on protocol implementation security, particularly in web browsers and network applications that handle multiple protocol stacks simultaneously.