CVE-2015-0023 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0025.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory structures during web page rendering and processing, creating a pathway for attacker-controlled code execution. The flaw manifests when IE encounters specially crafted HTML elements or JavaScript code that triggers improper memory management during the parsing and rendering phases of web content processing. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from CVE-2015-0025 and operates through different attack vectors while sharing similar exploitation characteristics within the Internet Explorer 10 codebase. The memory corruption occurs at the browser's core rendering engine level, where improper bounds checking or memory deallocation routines fail to properly validate input data before processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting web pages that manipulate memory pointers or buffer boundaries in ways that cause the browser to execute attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the current user. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in Internet Explorer 10, triggers the memory corruption condition. The vulnerability typically manifests through heap-based memory corruption scenarios where attacker-controlled data is processed through the browser's rendering pipeline, leading to either code execution or system instability resulting in denial of service. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability class, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects any user who visits a compromised website while using Internet Explorer 10, making it a significant risk for enterprise environments where legacy browser support is maintained.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include complete system compromise and persistent access capabilities for threat actors. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms and execute malicious payloads with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. Organizations running Internet Explorer 10 are particularly vulnerable as this browser version lacks modern exploit mitigation features such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The vulnerability's persistence across different web content types makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites or receive malicious email attachments that trigger the exploit. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of broader attack surface management strategies, particularly when assessing legacy browser support requirements and user behavior patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor has released specific fixes for this memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and web filtering solutions can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browsers updated. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through log analysis and implement automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework for initial access and execution phases highlights the need for comprehensive endpoint protection strategies that include browser sandboxing and privilege separation controls. Organizations should also consider migrating users to more secure browser alternatives and implementing browser lifecycle management policies to reduce exposure to legacy vulnerabilities.