CVE-2009-0552 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4, 6 SP1, 6 on Windows XP SP2 and SP3, and 6 on Windows Server 2003 SP1 and SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a web page that triggers presence of an object in memory that was (1) not properly initialized or (2) deleted, aka "Uninitialized Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer that affects multiple versions across different Windows operating systems. The issue stems from improper handling of memory objects during web page rendering processes, specifically when objects that should be initialized are either not properly initialized or have been deleted from memory. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that are commonly classified as CWE-476, which deals with NULL Pointer Dereference, though the specific manifestation here involves uninitialized memory corruption rather than simple pointer dereference. The vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer versions 5.01 SP4, 6 SP1, and 6 on various Windows platforms including XP SP2 and SP3, as well as Windows Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, making it particularly widespread across legacy systems that were prevalent during the late 2000s era.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious web page is loaded in Internet Explorer, causing the browser to encounter an object in memory that has not been properly initialized or has already been deleted. When the browser attempts to access this corrupted memory object, it can lead to unpredictable behavior including arbitrary code execution. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through remote web-based attacks without requiring any local privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The exploitation mechanism aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the use of malicious websites to deliver exploits, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management can create persistent security risks in browser environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on legacy Internet Explorer installations, as it allows attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by hosting malicious content on a web server, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access to networks. The fact that this vulnerability affects such a wide range of Internet Explorer versions and Windows platforms means that organizations with older systems or those unable to immediately patch their environments face substantial exposure. The vulnerability's classification as an uninitialized memory corruption issue makes it particularly challenging to detect and prevent, as the memory corruption may not immediately manifest in obvious error conditions, allowing attackers to execute code silently and undetected. Organizations with legacy systems remain particularly vulnerable to this type of attack vector, as these systems often lack modern security mitigations and are frequently not updated to receive security patches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through patching and updating Internet Explorer installations to versions that address the memory corruption issues. Microsoft released security updates for this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected systems. Additional protective measures include implementing browser hardening techniques such as disabling ActiveX controls, implementing content filtering solutions, and deploying network-based security controls to block access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software systems and demonstrates how legacy applications can create persistent security risks that require immediate attention. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious web content and avoid visiting untrusted websites that might host exploit code. Given the nature of memory corruption vulnerabilities, organizations may also benefit from implementing memory protection mechanisms such as Data Execution Prevention and Address Space Layout Randomization to make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying vulnerability is not immediately patched.