CVE-2010-3886 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
The CTimeoutEventList::InsertIntoTimeoutList function in Microsoft mshtml.dll uses a certain pointer value as part of producing Timer ID values for the setTimeout and setInterval methods in VBScript and JScript, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information about the heap memory addresses used by an application, as demonstrated by the Internet Explorer 8 application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3886 resides within Microsoft's mshtml.dll component, which serves as the core HTML rendering engine for Internet Explorer applications including version 8. This flaw specifically affects the CTimeoutEventList::InsertIntoTimeoutList function that handles the internal management of timer events for JavaScript's setTimeout and setInterval methods. The vulnerability stems from the predictable nature of pointer values used in generating Timer ID values, creating a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the predictable generation of timer identifiers through the manipulation of pointer values within the mshtml.dll library. When JavaScript timer functions are executed, the system generates unique identifiers that should be unpredictable to prevent attackers from correlating memory addresses. However, the flawed implementation causes the system to use pointer values that can be calculated or guessed by malicious actors, leading to the exposure of heap memory addresses that are typically protected from direct access. This behavior creates a pathway for attackers to gain insights into the application's memory layout and potentially exploit other vulnerabilities through heap-based attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3886 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical memory layout information that can be leveraged in more sophisticated exploitation techniques. By obtaining heap memory addresses, attackers can perform address space layout randomization (ASLR) bypass attempts, which are commonly used to circumvent modern security protections. The vulnerability affects Internet Explorer 8 specifically, but the underlying issue demonstrates a broader pattern of memory management flaws in web browser components that can be exploited to undermine application security. This information disclosure capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can serve as a precursor to more severe attacks including remote code execution.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of information disclosure flaws that align with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information. The attack pattern associated with CVE-2010-3886 fits within the broader ATT&CK framework under the Information Gathering phase, particularly in techniques involving memory analysis and reconnaissance activities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the deployment of security updates provided by Microsoft, browser hardening measures, and network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing process isolation techniques and monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.