CVE-2015-0019 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 and 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0019 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 and 10 that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory structures during web page rendering and JavaScript execution processes. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer encounters specially crafted web content that triggers improper memory management operations, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors.
This memory corruption vulnerability operates at the core level of Internet Explorer's rendering engine, where improper bounds checking and memory allocation routines fail to properly validate user-supplied data. The flaw falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that are commonly classified under CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write. Attackers can craft malicious web pages containing malformed data structures that, when processed by the vulnerable browser, cause memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass significant security risks for enterprise environments and individual users. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass security mechanisms, escalate privileges, and potentially gain complete control over affected systems. The memory corruption can manifest in various forms including crashes, data corruption, or more sinisterly, code execution that could lead to full system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using legacy Internet Explorer versions that may not receive regular security updates, creating extended attack surfaces for threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0019 should prioritize immediate remediation through Microsoft security updates and patches, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent security releases. Organizations must implement comprehensive browser security policies that include disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing application whitelisting, and utilizing security software that can detect and block malicious web content. The vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and execution through browser-based attacks. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict content security policies, and maintaining up-to-date security monitoring systems that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should focus on identifying and addressing similar vulnerabilities in legacy browser environments that remain in use within organizational networks.