CVE-2006-3897 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack overflow in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 on Windows 2000 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) by creating an NMSA.ASFSourceMediaDescription.1 ActiveX object with a long dispValue property.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3897 represents a classic stack overflow condition affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 running on Windows 2000 systems. This flaw specifically targets the handling of ActiveX objects within the browser environment, creating a scenario where malicious input can lead to application instability and potential system compromise. The vulnerability manifests when Internet Explorer processes an NMSA.ASFSourceMediaDescription.1 ActiveX object with an excessively long dispValue property, triggering buffer overflow conditions that corrupt the application's memory stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper validation of user-supplied input within the ActiveX control processing pipeline. When Internet Explorer encounters the malformed ActiveX object with the oversized dispValue property, the browser fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This lack of input sanitization creates a condition where the stack memory layout becomes corrupted, leading to unpredictable behavior and application termination. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a critical security weakness in software development practices.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where legacy systems remain operational. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through web-based delivery of malicious content, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with users accessing unpatched Internet Explorer installations. The denial of service impact can be leveraged as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks, as the application crash can be used to disrupt normal business operations while potentially providing attackers with opportunities to establish footholds within network environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credentials and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as compromised systems may subsequently be used for further exploitation activities.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3897 primarily involve immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft security updates, which address the underlying buffer overflow conditions in the ActiveX processing components. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including ActiveX control restrictions, enhanced security zones configuration, and regular security assessments of legacy systems. Additionally, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious ActiveX object patterns and malformed web content that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against legacy system vulnerabilities that continue to pose risks in modern network environments.