CVE-2011-1255 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
The Timed Interactive Multimedia Extensions (aka HTML+TIME) implementation in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 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, aka "Time Element Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1255 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8, specifically affecting the Timed Interactive Multimedia Extensions implementation commonly known as HTML+TIME. This vulnerability resides in the browser's handling of multimedia elements and timed interactions, creating a pathway for remote code execution through improper memory management. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer processes objects that have either not been properly initialized or have already been deleted from memory, creating exploitable conditions that attackers can leverage to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the browser's failure to properly validate object states during memory operations within the HTML+TIME extension framework. When Internet Explorer encounters timed multimedia elements, it maintains objects in memory that should be properly managed throughout their lifecycle. However, the implementation contains a memory management defect where objects can be accessed after they have been freed or before they have been properly initialized, leading to unpredictable memory behavior. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, and more broadly relates to CWE-787 "Out-of-bounds Write" when considering the potential for arbitrary code execution through memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the logged-on user. Attackers can craft malicious web pages containing specially crafted HTML+TIME elements that trigger the memory corruption when the vulnerable browser processes them. The exploit typically involves creating web content that references objects in memory before they are properly initialized or after they have been deleted, causing the browser to dereference invalid memory locations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may browse untrusted websites or receive malicious emails containing compromised web content, making it a prime target for zero-day exploits and widespread malware distribution campaigns.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell", T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution", and T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application". The vulnerability's exploitation pathway aligns with ATT&CK's approach to client-side attacks where adversaries leverage browser vulnerabilities to establish initial access and execute malicious payloads. Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate patching of affected Internet Explorer versions, deployment of browser hardening measures, and network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML+TIME content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in legacy browser implementations.