CVE-2010-4486 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before 8.0.552.215 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to history handling.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4486 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 8.0.552.215 that fundamentally compromises the browser's memory management integrity. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory locations that have already been freed, creating a dangerous state where subsequent operations can trigger unpredictable behavior. The specific context involves Chrome's history handling mechanisms, which are integral components responsible for managing user navigation records, bookmarks, and browsing data persistence. The flaw manifests during the processing of web content that interacts with the browser's history subsystem, particularly when handling certain JavaScript operations or DOM manipulations that trigger history-related functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the browser's improper memory deallocation process within its history management module. When Chrome processes web pages that contain specific JavaScript code or HTML elements that interact with the history API, the application fails to properly validate memory references before executing subsequent operations. This creates a window where freed memory blocks can be accessed or reused by malicious code, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The use-after-free condition typically arises from race conditions or improper reference counting within the browser's internal memory management system, where the history tracking component releases memory resources but continues to maintain pointers to those locations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which is classified as a serious weakness that can enable attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable remote code execution in certain circumstances. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in the vulnerable browser, trigger the memory corruption condition and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant threat to user security since it allows attackers to compromise systems remotely without requiring local access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites, where users are unknowingly exposed to malicious content that can leverage the history handling flaw. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest potential for privilege escalation or information disclosure, which could further compound the security implications beyond the immediate use-after-free condition.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment for all affected Chrome versions, with particular emphasis on organizations that may have legacy systems or delayed update processes. The recommended approach involves upgrading to Chrome version 8.0.552.215 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes and validation checks to prevent the use-after-free condition. Browser administrators should also implement network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to reduce exposure to malicious websites. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of keeping their browser software updated and avoiding untrusted websites that may contain malicious content designed to exploit this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1211 - Exploitation for Defense Evasion and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the potential for attackers to use such flaws to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.