CVE-2015-0031 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 11 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-2015-0017, CVE-2015-0020, CVE-2015-0022, CVE-2015-0026, CVE-2015-0030, CVE-2015-0036, and CVE-2015-0041.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution attacks through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affected the browser's handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes, creating exploitable conditions that could be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw manifested when Internet Explorer processed certain malformed or specially constructed web elements, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that could be controlled by threat actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory corruption issues typically arise from improper bounds checking in memory management functions, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations or manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability exploited the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components, particularly when handling complex web page structures or embedded objects that triggered memory allocation failures.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represented a severe threat to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remained the primary browser for business operations. Attackers could craft malicious websites that would automatically execute code on victim machines without any user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. Organizations relying on legacy Internet Explorer versions faced significant risk, especially in environments where browser updates were delayed or restricted.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extended across multiple attack vectors including web-based phishing campaigns, drive-by downloads, and compromised websites that served malicious content. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability could be triggered through various means including image processing, script execution, and object embedding within web pages. The exploitation techniques often involved crafting specific memory patterns that would cause the browser to allocate memory incorrectly, leading to crashes or code execution. Organizations implementing traditional security controls such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and email filtering were often insufficient to prevent exploitation due to the nature of web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate action including applying Microsoft security patches, implementing browser hardening measures, and deploying network-based protections. Organizations should have considered disabling Internet Explorer for non-essential tasks, implementing application whitelisting policies, and using sandboxing technologies to isolate browser processes. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management programs. Security teams needed to monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process emphasized the critical need for timely patch deployment and the importance of testing patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment.