CVE-2010-4485 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 8.0.552.215 does not properly restrict the generation of file dialogs, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (reduced usability and possible application crash) via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4485 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's handling of file dialog generation mechanisms that existed prior to version 8.0.552.215. This issue falls under the category of improper input validation and resource management within the browser's user interface components, specifically affecting how the application processes file selection prompts triggered by web content. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of inadequate sandboxing controls where remote attackers could exploit the browser's file dialog subsystem to manipulate application behavior in ways that were not properly constrained by the security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Chrome's insufficient validation of file dialog parameters when processing web-based requests for file operations. When a malicious website attempts to trigger a file dialog through javascript or other web technologies, the browser should enforce strict boundaries on the dialog's behavior and parameters. However, the vulnerable version failed to properly restrict the generation of these dialogs, allowing attackers to craft specific web pages that could cause the browser to enter an unstable state. This improper restriction manifests when the browser processes crafted inputs that exceed normal dialog generation parameters, potentially leading to memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions that compromise the browser's stability.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4485 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to include potential application crashes that could disrupt user workflows and compromise the browser's usability. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could construct malicious websites that, when visited by unsuspecting users, would trigger repeated or malformed file dialog generation sequences that could cause Chrome to become unresponsive or terminate unexpectedly. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the attack tree framework where remote code execution and user interaction vectors combine to create effective exploitation scenarios. The flaw particularly affects users who frequently interact with web content that might trigger file operations, making it a significant concern for both individual users and enterprise environments.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and resource boundary enforcement in browser security models. The issue relates to CWE-122 which describes improper restriction of operations within a limited context, and reflects broader concerns about sandboxing effectiveness in modern browsers. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory browser updates to versions 8.0.552.215 or later, along with network-level controls that can detect and block known malicious patterns associated with this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include user education about visiting untrusted websites and the potential risks of interacting with web content that might trigger unexpected browser behaviors. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of file dialog generation that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could potentially serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks targeting the browser's underlying architecture.