Detect CVE-2010-0806 Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Exploitation in Splunk
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
SPL Detection Query
index=endpoint sourcetype=xmlwineventlog OR sourcetype=wineventlog EventCode=4688
| eval parent=lower(ParentProcessName), child=lower(NewProcessName)
| where parent="*iexplore.exe*"
| where child IN ("*cmd.exe*", "*powershell.exe*", "*wscript.exe*", "*cscript.exe*", "*mshta.exe*", "*regsvr32.exe*", "*rundll32.exe*")
| eval risk_score=case(
child="*powershell.exe*", 90,
child="*cmd.exe*", 80,
child="*mshta.exe*", 85,
true(), 70)
| stats count min(_time) as first_seen max(_time) as last_seen values(child) as child_processes values(CommandLine) as commandlines by ComputerName, parent, AccountName, risk_score
| where count > 0
| eval first_seen=strftime(first_seen, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S"), last_seen=strftime(last_seen, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
| table ComputerName, AccountName, parent, child_processes, commandlines, count, risk_score, first_seen, last_seen
| sort - risk_scoreDetects Internet Explorer spawning suspicious child processes that are characteristic of CVE-2010-0806 use-after-free exploitation resulting in code execution.
Data Sources
Required Sourcetypes
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate enterprise applications that use IE as a rendering engine and invoke scripts
- IT automation and RPA tools using IE COM objects
- Security testing or red team exercises in authorized environments
- Legacy enterprise portals that open cmd.exe for local application launch via IE
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.