CVE-2010-4484 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 8.0.552.215 does not properly handle HTML5 databases, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via unspecified vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4484 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's handling of HTML5 database functionality prior to version 8.0.552.215. This issue falls under the category of improper handling of web standards and database operations within the browser's architecture. The vulnerability specifically targets Chrome's implementation of HTML5 database storage mechanisms, which are part of the Web SQL Database specification that was deprecated but still widely supported in early versions of Chrome. The flaw manifests when the browser processes certain HTML5 database operations that trigger memory corruption or resource management errors within the browser's rendering engine.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and memory management within Chrome's database handling subsystem. When malicious web content attempts to manipulate HTML5 database operations, the browser's internal database engine fails to properly validate input parameters or manage memory allocation, leading to unpredictable behavior that can result in application crashes. This type of vulnerability typically maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific manifestation in this case involves resource exhaustion and memory corruption during database operations. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted HTML pages that attempt to perform invalid database operations or manipulate database storage in unexpected ways.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4484 extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for conducting denial of service attacks against Chrome users. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can cause the browser to crash repeatedly, forcing users to restart their browser sessions and potentially disrupting their workflow. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566.001, which involves spearphishing attachments that could contain malicious HTML content designed to trigger this vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly concerning because HTML5 database operations are commonly used in web applications, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who can convince victims to visit compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4484 primarily focus on immediate software updates and browser security hardening measures. The most effective solution is upgrading to Chrome version 8.0.552.215 or later, which includes proper validation and memory management fixes for HTML5 database operations. Organizations should implement automated update policies to ensure all users maintain current browser versions. Additional protective measures include enabling Chrome's built-in security features such as sandboxing, which limits the impact of potential exploitation by isolating browser processes. Network administrators can also deploy web filtering solutions that block access to known malicious domains and implement security headers that prevent certain types of database operations from being executed in potentially unsafe contexts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in web browser implementations, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing of web standards implementation.