CVE-2010-4203 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
WebM libvpx (aka the VP8 Codec SDK) before 0.9.5, as used in Google Chrome before 7.0.517.44, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly execute arbitrary code via invalid frames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4203 represents a critical security flaw within the WebM libvpx library, specifically affecting the VP8 Codec SDK version 0.9.4 and earlier. This vulnerability was widely exploited in the Google Chrome browser environment, where it was present in versions prior to 7.0.517.44, making it a significant concern for web security. The affected library is a core component of the WebM multimedia framework that enables efficient video compression and decompression for web applications, particularly in HTML5 video playback contexts.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of invalid video frames during the decoding process within the libvpx library. When processing malformed or crafted video content, the library fails to properly validate frame structures and data boundaries, leading to memory corruption issues. This memory corruption occurs in the VP8 decoder implementation where buffer overflows and underflows can occur when handling malformed frame headers or data sequences. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the video frame processing pipeline, which allows attackers to craft malicious video content that triggers undefined behavior in the decoder.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious video content on web servers or embedding it within web pages that are loaded in vulnerable browsers. When the victim's browser attempts to decode the malicious video content, the corrupted memory conditions can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This creates a significant threat vector for attackers seeking to compromise user systems through web-based attacks, particularly given the widespread use of Chrome as a primary web browser.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, and CWE-787, which covers "Out-of-bounds Write" scenarios, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues. The attack pattern follows the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The vulnerability also relates to T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as the execution of arbitrary code can lead to full system compromise. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability through updates to both the libvpx library and affected browser versions, implementing network-based protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to mitigate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of patched versions of the VP8 Codec SDK and Google Chrome browser updates, along with network monitoring for suspicious video content delivery. Security teams should implement browser hardening measures, including disabling automatic video playback and implementing strict content security policies to reduce attack surface. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments of multimedia libraries and browser components should be conducted to identify similar memory safety issues before they can be exploited by adversaries. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia codecs and browser security patches, as these components form essential parts of the modern web ecosystem and are frequently targeted by sophisticated attackers seeking persistent access to user systems.