CVE-2011-1257 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via vectors involving access to an object, aka "Window Open Race Condition Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2021
The CVE-2011-1257 vulnerability represents a critical race condition flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8 that fundamentally undermines the browser's memory management and object handling mechanisms. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of concurrent programming errors and browser security architecture, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit temporal inconsistencies in object lifecycle management. The flaw specifically manifests when Internet Explorer processes window.open() operations in rapid succession or under specific timing conditions, allowing attackers to manipulate object references before they are properly initialized or cleaned up.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages a classic race condition pattern where multiple threads or execution paths attempt to access the same object resource simultaneously. In the context of Internet Explorer, this occurs when the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering engine interact with window objects in a manner that creates a window of opportunity for memory corruption. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-362, which specifically addresses Race Conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution. When an attacker successfully triggers this race condition, the browser's memory management system can end up with dangling pointers or improperly deallocated memory regions, leading to unpredictable behavior that adversaries can manipulate to execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1257 extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on older Internet Explorer versions. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain full system compromise capabilities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The memory corruption aspects of the vulnerability can also be weaponized for denial of service attacks, effectively rendering affected systems unusable while simultaneously providing a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations running Internet Explorer 6 through 8 were particularly vulnerable due to the lack of modern security mitigations and the prevalence of legacy web applications that required these older browser versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1257 focus primarily on immediate browser upgrades and security hardening measures. Microsoft released patches for this vulnerability through Windows Update, but organizations needed to ensure comprehensive deployment across all affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions that make it less likely to be exploited in the wild, but the potential impact makes it critical to address immediately. Security teams should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, browser sandboxing technologies and exploit prevention mechanisms can provide layered defense against attempts to leverage this race condition for unauthorized system access. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining systems running unsupported Internet Explorer versions that may still be vulnerable to similar race condition exploits.