Detect Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Vulnerability (CVE-2010-0249) in Elastic Security
CVE-2010-0249 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) in Microsoft Internet Explorer that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a specially crafted web page. This vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild (Operation Aurora) and is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Exploitation typically involves a malicious HTML/JavaScript page that triggers memory corruption through manipulated DOM objects, enabling arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged-on user.
MITRE ATT&CK
Elastic Detection Query
sequence by host.name with maxspan=30s
[process where process.name : "iexplore.exe" and event.type == "start"]
[process where process.parent.name : "iexplore.exe" and
process.name : ("cmd.exe", "powershell.exe", "wscript.exe", "cscript.exe", "mshta.exe", "regsvr32.exe", "rundll32.exe")]EQL sequence detecting Internet Explorer spawning high-risk child processes within a 30-second window, a strong indicator of drive-by exploitation consistent with CVE-2010-0249.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Automated browser testing pipelines using Internet Explorer
- Legacy enterprise portals that spawn helper applications from IE
- DLP or monitoring agents injected into IE that spawn child utilities
- Software installers that open IE and then launch cmd.exe for post-install steps
Other platforms for CVE-2010-0249
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate IE Use-After-Free Child Process Spawn
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1 showing cmd.exe with ParentImage pointing to iexplore.exe; file creation event for cve_2010_0249_test.txt in %TEMP%
- Test 2IE Spawning PowerShell Downloader (Post-Exploit Simulation)
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1 with ParentImage iexplore.exe and Image powershell.exe; command line containing -NonInteractive visible in process telemetry
- Test 3Anomalous IE Network Beacon on Non-Standard Port
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 3 network connection event with InitiatingProcessFileName iexplore.exe and DestinationPort 4444; connection attempt logged even on failure
Unlock Pro Content
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