CVE-2008-4261 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4, 6 SP1 on Windows 2000, and 6 on Windows XP and Server 2003 does not properly handle extraneous data associated with an object embedded in a web page, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted HTML tags that trigger memory corruption, aka "HTML Rendering Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 5.01 SP4, 6 SP1, and 6 on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003 systems. The flaw occurs during HTML rendering when the browser encounters embedded objects with malformed data structures, specifically when processing extraneous data associated with web page objects. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the browser's rendering engine, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overflow stack buffers and overwrite adjacent memory regions. This particular issue maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been a persistent concern in software development since the early days of computing. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by download attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious HTML content that contains specially formatted tags and embedded objects designed to trigger the memory corruption during rendering. When Internet Explorer processes these malformed elements, the stack buffer overflow occurs in the HTML parsing and rendering components, allowing attackers to overwrite return addresses and execution pointers within the stack frame. This memory corruption enables remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the browser, typically resulting in system compromise and potential full control over the affected machine. The attack surface is broad given the widespread deployment of these older Internet Explorer versions, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy systems remain operational. The vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, which emphasizes how attackers can leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code on target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4261 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, establish backdoors, or perform further reconnaissance within the compromised network. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning because it does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it a prime target for automated attacks and botnet propagation. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer face significant risk exposure, especially when considering that these older browser versions are often used in legacy applications and restricted environments where security updates may not be regularly applied. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping browser software up to date and implementing proper network segmentation to limit the potential damage from such exploits. Mitigation strategies include applying Microsoft security patches, implementing browser hardening measures, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining comprehensive vulnerability management programs that account for both current and legacy systems within enterprise environments.