Detect CVE-2010-0806 Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Exploitation in IBM QRadar
Detects exploitation of CVE-2010-0806, a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web page. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and has been actively exploited in the wild.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Initial Access Execution
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') as event_time,
sourceip, destinationip,
"ParentProcessPath", "ProcessPath", "CommandLine",
username, hostname
FROM events
WHERE LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) IN ('Microsoft Windows Security Event Log', 'Sysmon')
AND "ParentProcessPath" ILIKE '%iexplore.exe'
AND ("ProcessPath" ILIKE '%cmd.exe'
OR "ProcessPath" ILIKE '%powershell.exe'
OR "ProcessPath" ILIKE '%wscript.exe'
OR "ProcessPath" ILIKE '%cscript.exe'
OR "ProcessPath" ILIKE '%mshta.exe'
OR "ProcessPath" ILIKE '%regsvr32.exe'
OR "ProcessPath" ILIKE '%rundll32.exe')
AND QIDNAME(qid) = 'Process Launch'
LAST 24 HOURS
ORDER BY starttime DESCQRadar AQL query detecting Internet Explorer spawning high-risk child processes, a key indicator of CVE-2010-0806 exploitation.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Enterprise intranet applications that legitimately invoke cmd.exe via IE ActiveX
- Authorized penetration testing activities
- Legacy help desk software using IE-initiated script execution
- Automated testing pipelines running against IE-based web applications
Other platforms for CVE-2010-0806
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 Spawning CMD via Scripted Process Launch
Expected signal: ProcessCreate event with ParentImage=iexplore.exe and Image=cmd.exe visible in Sysmon Event ID 1 and Windows Security Event ID 4688
- Test 2Internet Explorer Spawning PowerShell for Encoded Command Execution
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: powershell.exe with encoded command and parent iexplore.exe; Network telemetry showing iexplore.exe with an active TCP session at time of child spawn
- Test 3Heap Spray Pattern Simulation via IE Memory Allocation Script
Expected signal: High memory allocation events in iexplore.exe process; potential script engine events logged if Script Block Logging is enabled; browser process memory consumption spike visible in performance telemetry
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2010-0806 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.