CVE-2011-0035 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing an object that (1) was not properly initialized or (2) is deleted, leading to memory corruption, aka "Uninitialized Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2556 and CVE-2011-0036.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer that affects versions 6 through 8. The issue stems from improper handling of objects in memory, specifically when the browser encounters objects that either lack proper initialization or have been deleted from memory. This fundamental failure in memory management creates exploitable conditions that adversaries can leverage to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability is categorized as an uninitialized memory corruption vulnerability, distinguishing it from similar issues like CVE-2010-2556 and CVE-2011-0036 which involve different attack vectors and memory handling scenarios. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in web browsers, which serve as primary attack surfaces for malicious actors. The flaw occurs at the core level of how Internet Explorer manages dynamic memory allocation and object lifecycle, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory management errors during object handling within the browser's rendering engine. When Internet Explorer processes web content, it allocates memory for various objects such as JavaScript objects, DOM elements, and other dynamic components. In the case of CVE-2011-0035, the browser fails to properly initialize memory objects or correctly handles the deletion of objects, leading to situations where memory addresses may contain stale data or corrupted pointers. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that deliberately trigger these memory handling errors, causing the browser to access improperly initialized or deleted memory locations. This memory corruption can then be leveraged to overwrite critical memory regions, potentially redirecting program execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: Uninitialized Memory Read and CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference, representing common memory safety issues that have plagued software systems for decades. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Internet Explorer 6 through 8 were widely deployed across enterprise environments and personal computers, making this vulnerability an attractive target for nation-state actors and cybercriminal organizations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the affected browsers. Once successfully exploited, attackers gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable browser, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability can be weaponized through drive-by download attacks where visiting a malicious website automatically triggers the exploit without requiring user interaction. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites or where social engineering attacks could be employed to direct users to malicious content. The memory corruption can result in various outcomes including system crashes, privilege escalation, or full system takeover depending on the specific exploitation technique used. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk as the exploitation chain is relatively straightforward and well-documented within cybersecurity communities. The vulnerability also demonstrates the challenges of maintaining security in legacy software systems where patches may not be readily available or where system administrators cannot immediately upgrade due to compatibility concerns with existing applications. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it leverages JavaScript execution contexts to trigger memory corruption conditions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through patching Microsoft Internet Explorer to versions that properly address the memory handling flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies that include disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious content. Network-based defenses such as intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts by monitoring for patterns associated with memory corruption attacks. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious websites and maintaining current security software. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, temporary workarounds such as disabling JavaScript execution or restricting access to untrusted websites can provide interim protection. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for regular security updates and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software across all systems. Organizations should also implement robust incident response procedures to quickly identify and contain exploitation attempts, as the memory corruption nature of this vulnerability makes detection challenging. Given the widespread deployment of affected Internet Explorer versions, this vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the security risks associated with legacy systems and the importance of maintaining modern security practices across all software platforms.