CVE-2007-5347 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 through 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via "unexpected method calls to HTML objects," aka "DHTML Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2024
The CVE-2007-5347 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 5.01 through 7 that enables remote code execution through malformed DHTML object method calls. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability type, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The flaw occurs when Internet Explorer processes unexpected method calls to HTML objects within DHTML (Dynamic HTML) content, creating a scenario where memory allocated for object handling becomes corrupted through improper method invocation sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the browser's handling of DHTML objects and their associated method tables, where attackers can craft malicious web content that triggers incorrect method resolution. When Internet Explorer encounters these unexpected method calls, it fails to properly validate the method invocation parameters, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the browser. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise, as the memory corruption can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory regions including function pointers and return addresses. Attackers can utilize this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent backdoors on affected systems. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows operating systems including Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, making it particularly impactful for enterprise environments where older IE versions remain in use. The attack surface is extensive as this vulnerability can be exploited through any web-based content that triggers the affected DHTML object handling code paths.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deploying Microsoft security patches that address the memory corruption in DHTML object handling, disabling DHTML functionality where possible, and implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors. Network segmentation and user access controls should be enforced to limit potential damage from successful exploitation, while security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous DHTML object method calls in web traffic. Regular security assessments should verify that all systems have been patched and that legacy IE versions have been deprecated from production environments.