CVE-2010-4204 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Google Chrome before 7.0.517.44, webkitgtk before 1.2.6, and other products, accesses a frame object after this object has been destroyed, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4204 represents a critical memory management flaw within WebKit-based browsers that affected Google Chrome versions prior to 7.0.517.44 and various WebKitGTK implementations. This issue stems from improper handling of frame objects during the browser's rendering process, where the system attempts to access memory locations that have already been deallocated. The flaw occurs when the browser's JavaScript engine or rendering subsystem references a frame object that has been destroyed through normal browser operations such as page navigation, DOM manipulation, or script execution. This memory access violation creates a condition where the application attempts to read from or write to memory that is no longer valid, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a classic use-after-free vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. When a frame object is destroyed, the memory it occupied is typically returned to the system's memory pool, but if the browser continues to reference this memory location, it can result in memory corruption. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the vulnerability may allow attackers to manipulate memory contents, potentially leading to privilege escalation or code execution within the browser's security context. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities without requiring user interaction, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability affects web browsers that rely on WebKit as their rendering engine, creating widespread exposure across multiple platforms and applications that utilize this browser engine. The attack vector involves sending malicious web content to a victim's browser, which when rendered causes the memory management error. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the CVE description suggest that the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks beyond simple denial of service, including information disclosure or privilege escalation. Security researchers have noted that such use-after-free vulnerabilities often present opportunities for attackers to craft exploits that can bypass modern memory protection mechanisms like address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the widespread adoption of WebKit-based browsers, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams and individual users alike.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4204 include immediate patching of affected browser versions, with Google Chrome users upgrading to version 7.0.517.44 or later. System administrators should prioritize updating WebKitGTK installations to versions 1.2.6 or higher to address the vulnerability in desktop applications. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict access to potentially malicious content, enabling sandboxing features, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent users from accessing known malicious websites. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in browser development, with implications for the broader software security community regarding the need for more robust memory safety mechanisms in modern web applications.